POLICE have turned to Felixstowe in their hunt to solve the death of a Sheffield pensioner.

Russell Claydon

POLICE have turned to Felixstowe in their hunt to solve the death of a Sheffield pensioner.

Officers wanting to question Ming Guo Chen, who they think may have vital information about how an 85-year-old pensioner was killed in a hit-and-run crash, have been carrying out searches in the Suffolk coastal town, South Yorkshire police said.

They are now appealing to anyone in Suffolk who has information about the Chinese food outlet workers whereabouts to contact them.

The latest intelligence on the movements of Mr Chen, who was working in a Chinese food outlet in Sheffield, suggests he may now be in East Anglia or possibly the Charing Cross area of London.

Police believe Mr Chen will be able to help with their enquiries into the fatal collision, which happened shortly before 9.40pm on Friday, February 1, at Elm Lane, Shiregreen, Sheffield.

Victim Mr Sarjeant is thought to have been crossing the road when he was in collision with a silver VW Passat, bearing the registration number V389 NAD, that failed to stop at the scene. The vehicle was later found abandoned on Grange Mill Lane, Sheffield.

Police are appealing for Mr Chen or anyone who knows of his whereabouts to contact them urgently.

Temporary Inspector Steve Askham of South Yorkshire Police, who is leading the investigation, said: “Historically Mr Chen has worked in Chinese restaurants or takeaways and we believe he's now involved in the same trade somewhere in the south east or possibly in London's Chinatown.

“We're asking people to take note of Mr Chen's photograph because he might just be the person who delivers their next Chinese meal to their table or door.”

He added: “The public can be reassured that, when dealing with such serious matters, any information they provide will be dealt with in confidence.”

Police carried out searches of Felixstowe earlier this month.

Mr Sarjeant, who lived in Yorkshire, was married and a father of two grown-up children. He worked as a chiropodist after serving in the RAF during the Second World War. And he was known to many people through his voluntary work at The Sheffield Deaf Club and as a founder member of Ellesmere Operatic Society.

Anyone with information or anyone who witnessed the collision is urged to call South Yorkshire Police on 0114 220 2970 or ring Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.