Cash van robbery plot foiled by vigilant public in Eastham

Jun 23 2010 by Ben Schofield, Liverpool Echo

Eastham robbery

FIVE men were arrested for allegedly plotting to rob a cash van.

Police moved in after vigilant members of the public spotted some of the gang apparently preparing to swoop.

They called the police after seeing the group sat in a car zipping up their jackets and pulling up their hoods – even though it was blazing sunshine outside.

At least two members of the gang got out of the car and ran towards a security guard next to the cash van.

The vehicle was apparently making a midday stop at the NatWest bank in New Chester Road, Eastham, yesterday.

But when the gang members saw a police car approaching, they fled.

One of them was arrested nearby. Another dived into Eastham Library and one-stop shop in nearby Mill Park Drive.

A member of the public who had seen him run into the library helped officers track him down inside.

Police said a 19-year-old man from Walton and a 23-year-old from Dovecot were arrested at the scene.

A 37-year-old and a 17-year-old, both from Bebington, and a 44-year-old from Eastham were arrested at a house nearby.

They were all being questioned on suspicion of going equipped for robbery. It is understood officers seized items from the car suggesting they were planning to rob the van.

Freelance photographer Rob Milne, 45, witnessed the police converge on the library.