Bournemouth armed robbery – five arrested

Following an armed robbery at the Academy Snooker Club in Christchurch Road, Boscombe, at 3.16am on Wednesday, 22 October, detectives have arrested five people.

The arrests were made on Sunday, 26 October, after execution of two search warrants - one in Bournemouth and the other in Christchurch.

Three men - a 40, 45 and 46-year old all from Bournemouth - and a 36-year old women from Bournemouth - were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit robbery. Their arrests followed an intelligence-led operation, which involved armed officers, at a property in Christchurch Road, Boscombe, and required the setting up of a cordon for three hours.

A fifth person - a 25-year old man from Bournemouth - was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit robbery. His detention was not as a result of the search warrants.

Armed officers also carried out a second search warrant on 26 October at a property in the Jumpers area of Christchurch in a police operation which also required the setting up of a cordon for some 30 minutes. There were no arrests.

The four arrested people from Sunday morning's search warrant were taken to separate police stations in the Bournemouth and Poole area where they are being interviewed by detectives.

Detective Sergeant Ash Rietiker, of Bournemouth and Poole CID, said: "In the armed robbery, two men allegedly threatened about a dozen customers and staff in the snooker club and forced them to get down onto the floor - with one robber firing a hand gun into the air.

"The other robber, who was wielding a hammer, then allegedly assaulted a male customer in what was a frightening, cowardly attack. The customer was later taken to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital for treatment to a shoulder injury.

"The robbers then allegedly forced a male member of staff to open the till, a safe and a cash change machine - from which the offenders stole a quantity of money - before warning those on the floor to stay down and then making off into Portman Road.

"This was a frightening experience for the customers and staff in the club. Dorset Police is committed to finding these two violent and dangerous criminals before they carry out another attack," explained Detective Sergeant Rietiker.

The man carrying the hand gun is described as white and of stocky build. He was wearing a black jacket fastened up, dark coloured tracksuit trousers and black, white and blue Nike trainers.

The second robber is also described as white and of slim build. He was wearing tracksuit bottoms and trainers.

Detective Sergeant Rietiker explained: "As always, information from the public is vital and I am interested in any information - no matter how unimportant or irrelevant people may believe it to be.

"Someone somewhere - perhaps several people - knows, or suspects they know, who was responsible for the snooker club robbery and I am appealing for them to come forward in confidence as soon as possible," he added.

After the Academy snooker club armed robbery, the premises was sealed off while crime scene investigators carried out a forensic examination. Detectives have also carried out house-to-house enquiries in the area of the premises.

Detectives are keeping an open mind as to whether the three armed robberies in Bournemouth last week - two in Westbourne and one in Boscombe - are connected.
Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police in confidence on 01202 or 01305 22 22 22 or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where mobile phone tariffs may apply.

Officers are particularly keen to hear from anyone who saw or heard any unusual, suspicious or out of the ordinary vehicle movements in the vicinity of the Academy snooker club in Christchurch Road and Portman Road during the early hours of Wednesday October 22, 2008.