Man Questioned Over Armed Robbery

Detectives in Southampton are appealing for witnesses after a man armed with what’s thought to be a gun robbed a newsagents and tried to rob a convenience store.

Officers first had a report of a suspicious person at around 7.20am on Wednesday, August 17 at the Tesco Express store in West End Road. A man walked in with a hoody on and his face covered but then walked out again.

Very shortly afterwards it’s believed the same man went into the CO-OP store on the opposite side of the road a short distance away.

He threatened the two staff members with what is believed to be a firearm and demanded cash. One of the staff pressed a panic button and the man ran off and no cash was handed over.

Then a short time later the same man goes into Alpine News in Vanguard Road and threatened staff there with the suspected firearm and again demanded cash. On this occasion he made off with a small amount of money.

Officers have since arrested a 22-year-old man in connection with the robberies.

Detectives are appealing for witnesses to any of the incidents or anyone who thinks they may have seen the man in the area.

Detective Inspector Gary Towse said:

“This is quite unusual where we have a number of linked incidents and the robber appears quite desperate. I would urge that anyone with information about these crimes to make contact with the Operation Badminton Team at Bitterne CID or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111”.

Police cordoned off the scenes to investigate what happened, and have a team of officers and police staff working on the enquiry. The arrested man is currently being questioned.