Second Shropshire armed robbery suspect arrested
Police today arrested a second man in connection with an armed robbery last month on a couple at their Shropshire home.
In a joint operation involving officers from West Mercia Police and West Midlands Police, an 18-year-old was arrested around 7.20am at a flat in the Warstones area of Wolverhampton.
He was taken into custody at the city's Bilston Street police station before being taken to Shrewsbury police station on suspicion of committing robbery at a country home in Lower Rudge, near Pattingham on the Shropshire-Staffordshire border during the night of March 9.
During the robbery, West Midlands businessman Richard Barnfather and his fiancée were held at gunpoint by three masked men who smashed their way into their home.
They were threatened and tied up before the gang made off with jewellery worth around £50,000 together with three cars - an Aston Martin, Range Rover and a Mercedes - from the drive.
The three vehicles were found abandoned within a few hours at locations in Tipton, Smethwick and Wolverhampton.
Today's development follows the arrest on April 5 of 21-year-old Nathan McDonald, of Merridale Street, Wolverhampton who has been charged with robbery and possession of an imitation firearm.
Detective Sergeant Dave Meyer, of West Mercia Police, said: "I can confirm that around 12 officers from the West Mercia and West Midlands forces executed a warrant at an address in the Warstones area of Wolverhampton this morning. They made a forced entry to the premises and arrested an 18-year-old man on suspicion of robbery.
"He will be brought to Shrewsbury police station and interviewed by detectives investigating the robbery near Pattingham on March 9."
DS Meyer said the police investigation was making steady progress and thanked those people who had already come forward with information to assist.
He renewed the appeal for information about those involved and said a £14,000 reward remains on offer for the arrest and conviction of the offenders.
"If you know anything which might assist the police inquiry, please contact Shrewsbury CID on 0300 333 3000 or call the anonymous Crimestoppers charity on 0800 333 111 for which a reward may also be paid".
