24/02/2006

Third arrest in £50m Kent robbery inquiry

Police investigating the £50 million robbery at the Securitas banknote storage depot in Tonbridge on Wednesday say that they have arrested third person for questioning in connection with the raid.

Also on Friday, police released a description of a man wanted in connection with the robbery. The man posed as a police officer and was wearing a high visibility jacket and a police style cap when he lured the depot manager into a white Volvo. He is described as being between 6ft and 6ft 1 tall and had a wispy ginger beard which may have been false. He had dark eyebrows and freckled cheeks.

Police have made three arrests. A 41-year-old woman was arrested at a building society in Bromley in south London on suspicion of handling stolen goods. A man, 29, and a woman, 31, were arrested at two addresses in the Forest Hill area of south London on suspicion of conspiracy to commit robbery.

Police confirmed that the woman will be taken to a police station in Kent where she will be questioned by detectives on Friday.

Assistant Chief Constable Adrian Leppard described the arrests as a "positive development" in the early stages of the inquiry.

The gang held depot manager Colin Dixon, his wife Lynn and their eight-year-old son hostage for more than six hours while the raid on the depot was carried out.

A burned out Volvo found in Maidstone, a Nissan Almera and a red van are being examined for forensic information. Police have not yet found the white 7.5 tonne panel van used to transport the cash.

The security firm and insurers have offered a reward of £2 million for information that leads to the capture of those responsible.

Kent Police have set up two special incident room hotline numbers on 01622 652361 or 01622 652366 and have appealed for information on the robbery.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers on freephone 0800 555 111.

(SP/GB)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

07 May 2014
'Skull Cracker' In Custody In London
Kent Police, in partnership with officers from the Metropolitan Police Service, have arrested two men in East London on suspicion of conspiracy to commit armed robbery. On 3 May, Kent Police began a search for Michael Wheatley, 55, who had failed to return to HMP Standford Hill after being released on temporary licence.
08 August 2013
Alleged Mafia Boss On-The-Run For 18 Years Arrested In London
A 64-year-old mafia boss, on the run for 18 years, has been arrested in London, the Metropolitan Police have said. Domenico Rancadore is described by Italian police as the head of a crime family involved in extortion, racketeering and drug trafficking. He was wanted by Italian authorities in connection with his links to Cosa Nostra.
27 September 2012
European Arrest Warrant Issued For Teacher
A European arrest warrant has been issued for Jeremy Forrest, the maths teacher who travelled to France with missing schoolgirl Megan Stammers. 30-year-old Forrest and 15-year-old Megan have not been seen since they crossed the Channel from Dover to France on 20 September.
09 October 2015
Police Arrest Four Youths After Robbery In Sussex
Police have arrested four youths after three Polish men were attacked and robbed in a park in Sussex. It is understood officers were called to Hartfield Park after 9pm on Thursday following reports that the men, two aged 20 and one aged 24, had been attacked by a large group of youths.
14 April 2011
British Man Dies In Dubai Police Custody
A British man has died in police custody in Dubai. Lee Bradley Brown, 39, from east London, died on Tuesday after he was taken to a Dubai police station where he was allegedly assaulted and put into a cell. It has been reported that Mr Brown, was arrested over a row at the luxury hotel Burj Al Arab hotel.