Desperate raiders snared after failed getaway

5:01pm Thursday 8th May 2008

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Three armed men held up a cash delivery van at a garage.

In the chase that followed, they crashed through a level crossing barrier, car-jacked a 70-year-old man and were finally arrested after getting on a bus.

The men, from the London area, are in custody being questioned on suspicion of robbery.

Superintendent Steve Whitton, of the Sussex Police operations department, thanked the public for their help in pointing police along the route taken by the men.

He said: "I want to thank members of the public for their assistance in helping ensure a safe and successful conclusion to this incident.

"The public really made the difference, not only supporting us by confirming the directions the men took but also helping to recover the discarded money."

The men robbed a cash delivery van at a BP garage on the A23 in Gossops Green, Crawley.

They fled in a Mercedes, turning left into Horsham Road and towards the town centre.

They approached the Horsham Road level crossing, which was down, and smashed through it before abandoning the car in Albany Road.

Stolen money was blowing from the car boot, which had been left open.

The men are then reported to have approached a 70-year-old Crawley motorist, punched him in the face and taken his Ford Fiesta, which they left in The Dingle.

The victim has been taken to the New East Surrey Hospital suffering from bruising.

The three men then boarded a bus, which had three passengers. Armed officers stopped the bus and arrested the men.

The stolen cash and weapon were found in the abandoned Mercedes.

No shots were fired and the only injury reported was to the 70-year-old motorist.

The Horsham Road level crossing was expected to be closed for repairs until possibly 7pm or 8pm.

Trains on the line faced delays of up to an hour after the crash. Traffic in Crawley was brought to a standstill following the chase.

Any witnesses are urged to contact police on 0845 60 70 999 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

*Did you see what happened? Call The Argus on 01273 544520 *Send us your mobile phone pictures of the chase or the aftermath to 80360. Start your message with SUPIC, telling us who you are and where you are from, and providing a brief description of your message.

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