Armed raiders caught by locals after Post Office robbery

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Armed raiders caught by locals after North Yorkshire post office robbery

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An attemped armed robbery at a North Yorkshire post office was foiled today after local residents chased down and caught the suspects.

Two men, one holding what was believed to be an imitation firearm, entered the post office on the High Street in Hinderwell near Saltburn just before 1pm and threatened a worker.

One of the men was detained by member of the public after being chased down the street and when police arrived at the scene minutes later, the second offender was arrested.

North Yorkshire Police arrested both of the men and took them to custody, where they are being held for questioning. Officers say they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

Hinderwell resident Peter McGrath, who helped subdue one of the suspects, said he saw two men in black hoods “hurtling past my house” while he was on his way to the allotment this afternoon.

He said: “I ran in the general direction and saw three local men grappling with a man dressed in black. I helped them wrestle him to the ground and sit on him.

“I gave chase to the second one. I saw him in the distance, then another two men turned up in a car and went to apprehend him. He was an unfit man and was trying to get away. Two men went after him in the direction of Whitby and subsequently got him.

“I went back to where the first man was being restrained, someone was sitting on his chest.

“Five minutes later three police vans turned up, one of them had a red-haired bloke in custody. The second man, who was in his 50s, was taken into custody.

“The postman was particularly hilarious. He had the older man in an arm lock and was complaining that he’s thought he’d got to the end of his round a bit early and ‘this bloody happens’.

“We don’t usually get so much as a stolen milk bottle around here, Hinderwell’s a very safe, happy village. I’ve lived here on and off for 20 years and this is unheard of.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has any information is asked to contact the police. Dial 101, press option 1 and pass information on to the Force Control Room. Alternatively Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111. Quote reference number 12150139545 when passing on information about the incident.