FIREARM USED IN ATTEMPTED ROBBERY FOUND

Alert message sent 22/08/2012 16:34:00

Information sent on behalf of Nottinghamshire Police

A firearm believed to have been used in an attempted armed robbery at a Mansfield bookmakers has been found. The imitation pistol-grip, pump-action shotgun, was discovered under a pile of tyres in Leighton Burrows, in the Ladybrook estate, just a mile from the scene of the crime.
Two members of staff were subjected to a terrifying ordeal at around 9.20pm on 9 November 2011, when a masked man walked into the William Hill betting shop, in the Ladybrook Place shopping precinct, Ladybrook Lane. He threatened 55-year-old Carol with a gun, before demanding she hand over cash. Her colleague, 54-year-old Sharon, raised the alarm and the man left empty-handed.
There were no customers in the shop at the time of the attack and while neither woman was injured, they have suffered significantly emotionally and mentally from such a terrifying and traumatic event. The suspect is described as being between 5ft 7ins and 5ft 9ins tall and of medium build.
He is believed to have a fair skin tone and was dressed in a dark-coloured coat with a hooded top and dark, fitted trousers, possibly jeans.
He wore dark coloured gloves on his hands and a cream/yellow mask, which had a beak. He spoke with a local accent and walked with a distinctive gait.

Police think Mansfield residents may hold the key to identifying the offender. Detective Sergeant Stuart Temple, who is leading the investigation, said:
“The recovery of this weapon has been an important breakthrough in the case, but we now need the help of the public to tie up the loose ends. It is a blue air weapon, which has been painted black and fixed with black duct tape to make it look like the real thing. Carol and Sharon could never have known it was an imitation. Despite it being a replica, the pellets could still have caused a great deal of damage if fired. What is very interesting is that these types of weapons are quite uncommon and a special licence is required to possess one. Have you seen this gun before? Do you know who it belongs to? If so, call us.”

The Association of British Bookmakers (ABB) has offered a reward of up to £10,000 to anyone who can provide information leading to the prosecution of the offender.
Two men and a woman arrested and bailed in connection with the robbery were subsequently released with no further action.
DS Temple said: “I urge people from the area to cast their minds back to that dark, cold, dry November evening last year. It was the Wednesday after Bonfire Night weekend. Were you in the area? Did you stop in at the neighbouring grocery shop or enjoy a pint at the nearby Ladybrook Hotel pub? Did you see a man dressed in black running across the adjacent recreation ground? Perhaps you think you might know the man we are looking for. We need your help to find the man responsible. Anyone who has any information should call us immediately.”
Witnesses or anyone with any information about the perpetrator of this crime should contact DS Stuart Temple on 101, extension 805 3463, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting incident 863 of 9 November 2011.

Message sent by

Mark Webster (Police, Insp 1481, Mansfield North & Mansfield South)

Tag words for this message

Back to previous page

Discuss this alert message

Please see terms below before using this feature

Please be aware that the facility above is a Facebook service, posting your views will make some of your Facebook information visible to everyone (as with any Facebook activity).

The system administrators (VISAV Limited) monitor the content added. Any misuse or objectionable material should be reported to support@neighbourhoodalert.co.uk.

The views expressed do not represent the views of the system administrators who are VISAV Limited, the Police, Neighbourhood Watch and other Information Provider using this service. The System Administrators make no guarantee, endorsement and accept no liability, regarding the discussion service above, including, but not limited to, its availability, accuracy, currency, content, quality or lack of objectionable or offensive content.

Latest Alerts

Nottinghamshire Police

Between 19:45 hours on 22/05/2013 and 07:30 hours on 23/05/2013 an out building ...

Sent 23/05/2013 16:10:00

Nottinghamshire Police

Hello Beeston North Residents A property on Abbey Court, Beeston, Nottingham...

Sent 23/05/2013 13:41:00

View archive of previous alerts