A SUSPECTED armed robber is today under arrest after a churchgoer was held at gunpoint while her car was stolen.

A SUSPECTED armed robber is today under arrest after a churchgoer was held at gunpoint while her car was stolen.

A woman had arrived to unlock the doors at St Andrew's Church, The Street, Rushmere St Andrew, when a man held a hand gun to her head.

An armed response police team was sent to the scene after the woman raised the alarm, and a man in his 30s, from the Ipswich area, was today being held in police custody.

The victim had visited the church and returned to her car when the robber held the gun to her head and demanded the keys.

He then fled the scene and drove off in her blue Rover car towards the Sproughton and Bramford area.

Ten police cars, including an armed response unit, were sent to Sproughton after reports that the car had been found.

The car was found in a field between Bramford Road, Ipswich, and the B1113 in Sproughton, and a man was arrested nearby on suspicion of armed robbery. The weapon was also recovered.

A police spokesman said: “A man approached a woman outside the church when she arrived to unlock the premises.

“He pushed her away from her vehicle and held what she believed to be a gun to her head.

“He then stole her car keys and drove off in the vehicle.

“The car was recovered near to Sproughton and inside was an air weapon.”

The incident happened on Saturday morning. The victim made the call at 8.40am.

A passer-by in Bramford, who did not wish to be named, said: “I saw a fleet of police cars, including one armed response unit race past. They then blocked off the road and started running around guarding the area.

“It was close to some of the properties.”

The man arrested was still helping police with their inquiries today.

Any witnesses to the event are asked to contact detective superintendent Eammon Bridger on 01473 613500.

Did you witness this incident? Call The Evening Star newsdesk on 01473 324788 or e-mail starnews@eveningstar.co.uk.