POLICE are today eager to trace the owner of a silver Vauxhall Astra or Vectra car seen in the area of Suffolk's latest robbery.Detectives are trying to establish how the three men fled the scene, after they were spotted running away in the direction of Ipswich Railway Station on Tuesday night.

POLICE are today eager to trace the owner of a silver Vauxhall Astra or Vectra car seen in the area of Suffolk's latest robbery.

Detectives are trying to establish how the three men fled the scene, after they were spotted running away in the direction of Ipswich Railway Station on Tuesday night.

The question of whether they climbed onto a train, jumped into a getaway car, or continued running remains a mystery.

But after the Evening Star reported the raid on Wednesday, several people phoned Ipswich Police to offer their help.

One said they had seen a silver Vauxhall car - either an Astra or a Vectra model - in the area at the time.

A police spokeswoman said: "There has been no sighting of a vehicle involved."

But she added: "We are keen to trace the driver of the silver car seen in the area at the time," who may be entirely innocent and can be eliminated from the inquiry.

The raid happened at 7.50pm on Tuesday, and left a lone female cashier suffering from shock.

Three black men, wearing scarves to cover their faces entered the Esso garage on Burrell Road.

One jumped onto the counter, towards the cashier, and demanded cash.

Money was taken from the till and a second man demanded the cashier open the safe.

The safe was on a time delay lock and could not be opened.

A separate tin of cash was also stolen.

Police are not linking the robbery with others committed by a gang of three black men, including three raids at Stonham Parva - one on November 5 and 30, and Victoria Wine in Norwich Road and Drink's Cabin in Queen's Way on January 9.

The Evening Star has offered a £1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the Suffolk Three.

The driver, and anyone else who has information or was in the area at the time, is asked to call police on 01473 313133 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.