Post office raid suspects caught after M6 pursuit

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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THIEVES who stole cash from a village post office in an early-morning raid were caught by police following a motorway chase.


The Post Office, in Main Street, Barton under Needwood, was hit at around 6.20am yesterday.

It is believed the raiders broke through the back door and stole coin bags before they escaped in a red Vauxhall heading in the direction of the A38.
The exact amount of money stolen has not been revealed.

The village postmaster said he was unable to comment because it was Post Office policy not to discuss issues of security.

Staffordshire Police said that following a ‘short pursuit’ three men were arrested by Cheshire Police on the M6 near Sandbach Services, following a coordinated move between the two forces and the Central Motorway Policing Group (CMPG).

Two 25-year-olds and a 17-year-old from the Merseyside area were taken into custody and were held in Staffordshire for questioning yesterday.

Barton parish councillor Arthur Kennedy, who is also a member of the village’s Neighbourhood Watch, said: “You don’t expect this sort of thing to happen on your doorstep, it’s frightening.

“I think that Barton as a village is quite vulnerable because of its proximity to the A38.

“Criminals can get in and out quite quickly.” It is believed the three men are also linked to two similar burglaries which happened only hours earlier at a Post Office in Gnosall, near Stafford, and at a house in Shareshill, near Wolverhampton.

A Staffordshire Police spokesman said: “Detectives believe that the burglaries are linked and are liaising with other forces in relation to other possible offences.

“Detectives are appealing for anyone who may have information on any of the burglaries, or who saw any suspicious activity in these areas, to contact them.

“They also want to speak to anyone who saw a bright red Vauxhall near the locations in Barton under Needwood and in Gnosall.”

Witnesses or anybody with information is asked to call Staffordshire Police on the 101 non-emergency number quoting incident 92 of February 23. People can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

[Lounge Lizard]

"Two 25-year-olds and a 17-year-old from the Merseyside area were taken into custody"
And far from the first time that suspects have been 'from the Merseyside area'
Just a shame that they're not all like Peter and Tillboo there.