A couple and their baby were threatened at knife point after they arranged to meet a man to sell him a PlayStation.
The man and woman, both in their 20s, arranged to meet the potential buyer in Tameside having arranged to sell the device online.
They met the man at around 5pm on Friday (12 November) in the Victoria Road area of Dukinfield, where the suspect handed over money the couple believed to be fake.
READ MORE: 'My violent boyfriend held me captive for three terrifying weeks'
He then proceeded to threaten the couple with a knife, telling them he would stab their baby.
The offender then threw an unidentified liquid into the man's face, before stealing his phone.
He is believed to have fled the scene in a white Seat vehicle in the direction of Hyde.
The man is described as a white, aged mid to late 20s, of a stocky build with brown or auburn hair, and wearing a dark coloured jacket.
Crews from Greater Manchester Fire Service attended the scene and the victim was taken to hospital for treatment.
Tests were carried out and the liquid is not believed to be acid.
The baby was thankfully unharmed.
An eyewitness described seeing 'loads' of police in response to the incident, including several armed response vehicles, fire crews, and an ambulance.
"The police had stripped the driver of a red car pretty much naked as he had been gassed or some substance had been used," they said.
A police helicopter was also spotted in the area a short time after.
No arrests have been made and enquiries by detectives at Ashton-under-Lyne CID are ongoing.
Anyone who may have been in the area at the time or may have seen a white Seat travelling towards Hyde yesterday evening is asked to check dash-cam footage and contact police with information.
GMP said the incident had been 'shocking' and 'disturbing' for all those involved.
Detective Sergeant Alison Haxby, of GMP's Tameside district, said: "We're exploring all potential lines of enquiry after this shocking incident was reported to us last night, and are committed to doing all we can to find whoever is responsible.
"This incident is particularly shocking given a baby was threatened during this robbery and what easily could’ve been a harmful substance was thrown at one of the victims.
"While the liquid was thankfully not found to be harmful, this was still a terribly disturbing incident for the family and we everything possible to support them through the course of this ongoing investigation.
"If you were in the area at the time and saw something, or possibly saw a white Seat driving in the Dukinfield or Hyde areas then I encourage you to please check dash-cam, CCTV or doorbell footage and get in touch with us as soon as you can."
Information should be passed to police at Ashton-under-Lyne CID on 0161 856 9262 quoting incident 2280 of 12/11/2021.
Details can be passed to the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
