Ruislip & Eastcote & Northwood Gazette
Armed robbery sparks man hunt
POLICE CHASE FROM IVER HEATH TO WEST DRAYTON TO CATCH MAN WHO RAIDED CO-OP STORE
AN ARMED robbery at the Iver Heath Co-op ended in a dramatic police chase all the way to West Drayton, where a man was arrested.
Robbers, reportedly armed with “what looked like metal poles”, raided the Co-operative Food store on Thornbridge Road, in Iver Heath, on December 30 evening, before making off in a car.
Thames Valley Police were alerted and spotted a car matching the description “very shortly afterwards” and pursued into West Drayton, where the vehicle was reportedly run off the road and crashed into a fence.
A man was arrested in connection with the robbery and other offences. He will appear for trial at Aylesbury Crown Court on January 29.
A Thames Valley Police spokesman said: “We were called to a robbery at the Co-op store in Thornbridge Road, Iver Heath, at 7.19pm on December 30.
“A man was later arrested in West Drayton, in connection with the offence. He was then charged with various offences.
“He was due at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court on New Year’s Day.”
Paul Ward, a 39-year-old man of no fixed abode, was charged with five
It was a very unpleasant situation. No firearms were used.
different offences: aggravated vehicle taking, driving while disqualified, possession of an offence weapon, driving with no insurance and robbery.
His case was transferred to Aylesbury Crown Court on a date yet to be set and he has been remanded in custody until he is due to appear.
The Ickenham Village Online Watch Link – a neighbourhood watch group – reported on social media the area had “gone riot” with speculation following the robbery, adding that “these types of incidents are mercifully very rare”.
It continued: “It was a very unpleasant situation. No firearms were used and the robbers were reportedly armed with what looks like metal poles.
“Investigations are underway and we and I’m sure the police are grateful for the public response.
“[Police] were here within nine minutes of the 999 calls going in. Excellent response.”