Five arrested on A23 as police go to aid of jeweller

Five arrested on A23 as police go to aid of jeweller

27 August 2010

Five men are in custody after police responded to a call from a jeweller who had become suspicious of a car he had spotted following him down the motorway system to Sussex from Birmingham.

The 45-year-old jeweller, who lives in Sussex, rang the owner of his shop from his car whilst southbound on the A23 at Gatwick at 5.45pm on Thursday (26 August). The owner immediately told Sussex Police and road policing units swiftly located both cars going south. Within 15 minutes officers had safely stopped the suspect vehicle, a black Renault Megane, at Pyecombe, by directing it into a lay-by. The jeweller also stopped at this point and was taken to safety by officers.

There was no violence and no injuries or damage. Police seized a number of weapons, rubber gloves and a face mask from the Megane. The five occupants, aged 26, 27, 28, 29, and 43, all from Birmingham, were arrested on suspicion of attempted robbery.

Det Sgt Sian Harding of Mid Sussex CID said: "The actions of the jeweller and his boss, and the swift response of our road policing officers, together resulted in these arrests."