GUN SUSPECT SEIZED
Day-long hunt for armed bandit ends in arrest
TWO suspects are being quizzed by police over an alleged gun robbery at a local shop.
Officers swooped on homes and allotments following the earlymorning hold-up, which happened in North Shields yesterday.
A worker was allegedly threatened with a handgun during the robbery, at the One Stop Shop, on Kirton Park Terrace, at just after 6.20am.
Within minutes armed officers had arrived at the Meadow Well Estate and surrounded an area of allotments behind Chirton Social Club, at the top of Silkey’s Lane.
The drama then moved to the New York area of the town, where marked police cars could be seen parked outside homes and at the entrance to a field.
Northumbria Police confirmed that one man had been arrested shortly after the raid.
And a second suspect was brought in for questioning later in the afternoon.
A spokeswoman said: “Officers have now arrested a second man, aged 39, in connection with a robbery at the One Stop Shop on Kirton Park Terrace earlier this morning.
“Police carried out extensive inquiries in the North Shields area following the incident at around 6.22am. A 34-year-old man arrested by officers following the incident remains in police custody.” The Chronicle understands police have also uncovered a bag containing a number of items that may have been used in the robbery, during which the till was stolen. The member of staff was left shaken but uninjured, the police said. Following the raid police quickly swooped on an area of Chirton and around 10 police cars could be seen parked near the Esso garage.
Armed officers stood in position as searches were carried out at nearby allotments.
Neighbour Paul Park said he feared the incident was terrorismrelated when he first saw the huge police presence.
The 43-year-old said: “I just live on the street down there. I came round here and saw all the police.
“I thought ‘terrorist’ straight away. That’s what goes through your head straight away. Whoever it is must be armed.”
Meanwhile a number of police officers were searching allotments behind the club.
“I saw them using step ladders to get over each garden fence and I heard them cut a padlock off,” said a man who was watching the activity from his bathroom window.
“Then I saw them search allotment after allotment.”
The operation then moved to the New York area of North Shields.
Spencer Armstrong, 47, who lives on nearby Warenton Place, said: “The police were just walking around, but they were definitely armed.
“It was quite a shock because they just pulled up at about 9.30am and no one was telling us what was happening.”
Anyone with any information is asked to call Northumbria Police on 101, quoting log 159 130717, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
I thought ‘terrorist’ straight away. That’s what goes through your head straight away Paul Park