Man Charged Over Armed Robbery

A man from Weymouth's been charged with a string of offences after an armed robbery at a post office in Abbotsbury Road, Weymouth.

25-year-old Colin Paul Douglas will appear before Weymouth magistrates on Monday 7th March charged with;

Robbery at the Abbotsbury Road post office on 2nd March, possession of a firearm while committing a Schedule 1 offence, dangerous driving, possession of a firearm with intent to resist arrest, possession of a firearm (relating to the hijacking of a car), aggravated vehicle taking and possession of a firearm with intent to resist arrest.

Colin was arrested on Friday 4th March after a chase involving armed officers, dogs and a helicopter.

Dorset Police said he was arrested in a wooded area after a vehicle crashed outside Broadmayne, near Dorchester.

Chief Superintendent Colin Stanger said:

"I'd like to thank the public for their help and support throughout what has been a long and intensive police operation.

"Our officers and staff have worked tirelessly and I'm pleased we have been able to bring this to a safe conclusion with the arrest tonight of Colin Paul Douglas.

"I'd like to stress that no shots were fired during the pursuit and subsequent arrest.''

A masked man armed with a gun robbed a post office in Abbotsbury Road, Weymouth, on Wednesday 2nd March before threatening a police officer and hijacking a car.

Another Weymouth man, a 39-year-old held on suspicion of assisting an offender, has been released on bail.

A loaded, long barrelled firearm - believed to be a .22 rifle together with additional ammunition - was recovered near to the scene of the arrest.

A 35-year-old Weymouth woman was also arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.