Second arrest over violent shop robberies
A second man has been arrested by police investigating of a series of violent robberies at shops in Southsea
At around 8.50pm on Friday 31 March, a man entered the Co-op store on Great Southsea Street.
He threatened a staff member with a screwdriver and then stole more than ÂŁ200 from the till.
At around 8.40pm the next day, Saturday 1 April, a man entered the same store in possession of a hammer and took money from the till.
Less than 10 minutes later, it was reported that a man had entered Castle News on Castle Road and threatened a staff member with a hammer before taking money from the till.
A further robbery has been added to the series.
On Tuesday, 4 April at 9.12pm, a man wearing a grey hoodie and a black face mask, green and black gloves, green tracksuit bottoms and grey trainers ran into Castle News in Castle Road and threatened a shop assistant with a screwdriver before grabbing the till and leaving the store in the direction of Nightingale Road (South).
A 22-year-old from Portsmouth was arrested on suspicion of four counts of robbery and has been bailed while enquiries continue.
The first man – a 21-year-old from Portsmouth – was further arrested on two counts of shoplifting in connection with a separate incident and has been bailed with conditions while enquiries continue.
No further action will be taken in relation to the four counts of robbery.