Possible robbery averted by ‘quick-witted member of the public’

A robbery on a cash delivery van may have been averted by an eagle-eyed member of the public who spotted men acting suspiciously in a car in Moulsecoomb.

Two men have been charged with conspiracy to commit robbery and aggravated vehicle taking following the incident, which involved firearms officers and a police helicopter searching an area of Brighton for the suspects on Wednesday afternoon (3rd August).

The member of the public had phoned police at 3.15pm after seeing men acting suspiciously in a BMW 5 Series parked in Widdicome Way in Moulsecoomb.

The BMW had been reported stolen and as police pursued the occupants along Southall Avenue the men left the vehicle and drove off at speed in a Mazda 4×4 which was parked there.

This car was later found abandoned in Kimberley Road and during a subsequent high-profile search of the area two men were found and arrested.

Zak Marsden of Portland Road, Hove and John Gallagher of Ryelands Drive, Brighton, both aged 22, have both appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court in relation to this incident and have been remanded in custody.

DI Clare Shiel said: “Our investigation since Wednesday afternoon suggests that the suspects may have been planning an imminent robbery on a cash delivery van and staff. Two men have now been charged for offences relating to this, so I cannot disclose further details until they have been heard in court.

“However, I would like to thank the quick-witted member of the public who called us to report the suspicious activity. We deployed lots of officers to this search, creating some disruption to local people, so their patience and understanding is appreciated.”

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Posted by on August 7, 2011. Filed under Brighton and Hove News,Featured,Latest News,Moulsecoomb. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry