Ipswich: Two men in custody in connection with three armed raids at shops

Two men have been arrested in connection with three armed robberies in Ipswich.

The two – a 22-year-old and a 27-year-old, both from the town – were arrested just after 6pm yesterday as police began enquiries into the third incident in 24 hours.

On Wednesday, officers were called to incidents at stores in Freehold Road around 4pm and to another at Foxhall Road around 5.50pm.

Last night a Suffolk Constabulary spokesman said: “An investigation began into these and media appeals were made and a number of pieces of information were given to police by members of the public.

“At 4.20pm today there was a third incident at the Co-Op store in Clapgate Lane and officers immediately attended and began a search of the area. The two men were stopped and searched soon afterwards and were subsequently detained – the 22-year-old on suspicion of robbery and the 27-year-old on suspicion of being concerned in the commission of robbery.

“They have both now been taken to Martlesham Police Investigation Centre where they will be interviewed by detectives in connection with all three crimes.”

The latest raid at the Co-Op in Clapgate Lane, was foiled by a female member of staff who refused to hand over cash to a knife-wielding robber.

Both the Premier stores hit on Wednesday are in the same ownership and the one in Freehold Road was also targeted by armed robbers in January 2012.

Anyone with information about the incidents should call Ipswich CID by dialling Suffolk Police on 101, quoting CAD 308 of May 29.