Express & Star

Imitation gun seized from Smethwick man trying to steal from shop

A would-be robber from Smethwick has been arrested after police found him with an imitation gun while trying to steal a till from a shop.

Published
Last updated
The gas-powered gun recovered by officers in Smethwick

Motorbike officer Pc Dave Humpherson was heading down Ethel Street, in Birmingham, on Tuesday at around 7.20pm, when he heard cries for help from members of the public in a Subway shop.

Pc Humpherson rushed in to find staff holding on to a suspect – who had allegedly shoved a member of staff and tried to steal from the till.

The officer arrested him on suspicion of attempted robbery, before finding a gas-powered air gun and nine cartridges when searching him.

The 23-year-old suspect, from the Smethwick area, was then arrested on suspicion of possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

Pc Humpherson said: "While it is not a real gun that has been recovered, anyone being threatened with it would be put in real fear.

“Police sometimes get given a hard time for taking food breaks, but it just goes to show that even when we are taking a quick break, we are always alert and ready to help.”

A spokesman from West Midlands Police said: "A 23-year-old man has been detained under the Mental Health Act."

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.