Car park drama Shoppers told to stay in vehicles as officers swoop
CUSTOMERS leaving Aldi were told to stay in their cars and off their phones by the police during an incident on Saturday, according to one shopper.
Police descended on the store, in Tewkesbury Road, Cheltenham, shortly after 5pm.
People in the car park were told not to take photos, according to one shopper caught up in the incident, and police also reportedly told people not to leave their cars.
One woman, who had finished her grocery shop and was about to leave the car park, said: “I came out of the Aldi and there were two cars blocking a car with two or three men handcuffed and a van with the back open and cage doors open. There must have been eight police there.”
She said a police officer approached her and said: “Be careful, get to your cars. Be patient – it won’t be long until you can get out.”
The woman added that “some people were trying to take photos and were
told ‘no photos’ and to put phones away”.
Gloucestershire Constabulary said they had received a report of a burglary of a garden shed in Green Lane, Hucclecote, during which tools had been stolen.
A grey Kia car, believed to have been used in the burglary, was seen pulling into Aldi, where officers stopped it and arrested three men, recovered property and seized the vehicle.
A spokeswoman said: “At no time was there danger to members of the public. Three men, aged 22, 37 and 58, were arrested on suspicion of burglary. They are all in custody awaiting questioning. The 58-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of driving offences.”