Five arrests in relation to Asian jewellery burglaries (From The Argus)

Five arrests in relation to Asian jewellery burglaries

8:10pm Tuesday 16th October 2012 in News By Ben James

Five people have been arrested in relation to a spate of burglaries targeting Asian families with large amounts of jewellery.

Police launched Operation Minnesota following the string of break-ins in Crawley earlier this year.

Last Tuesday (October 9) a 32-year-old man from Croydon, a 45-year-old man from London and 37-year-old women from London were arrested for burglary and going equipped to steal.

They have been interviewed in relation to the offences in Chichester and bailed until November 30.

On Friday (October 12) a further two men were arrested following burglaries in Crawley.

Patrick Coyle, 24, of Stanford-le-Hope, Essex, was arrested on suspicion of burglary and remanded in custody to appear at court.

A second 29-year-old from Essex has been bailed until November 13.

District Commander Chief Inspector Steve Curry said: "This will remain the key policing priority for Crawley.

“We are tackling these criminals robustly and sending the organised criminal groups a clear message that they will be targeted and caught.

“Significant resources are being committed to this operation to ensure that those responsible face the full force of the criminal justice system."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting Operation Minnesota.