Third arrest in £500,000 gem raid

DETECTIVES investigating a robbery in Hanley, Staffordshire, have made a further arrest in Oldham.

Over £500,000 of jewellery and watches were stolen during the incident at Beaverbrooks in the Potteries Centre, Hanley, on Monday, November 17.

A 36-year-old man from Manchester was arrested in Oldham on Friday and he remains in custody for questioning.

As inquiries continue, detectives are carrying out detailed searches at properties in the Manchester area.

The arrest comes as two other suspects appeared at Crown Court in Stoke-on-Trent yesterday.

They were further remanded in custody to appear again the new year.

Information

John Haining (25), of Eastern Bypass, Manchester, is charged with robbery, criminal damage and affray and Natasha Boomer (27), of New Street, Lees, is charged with receiving stolen goods.

Det-Chief Insp Ricky Fields, from Staffordshire police, said: “We continue to encourage anyone with information to come forward and would like to reiterate that there is a substantial reward on offer for information that leads to the recovery of the stolen items.

“Information can be passed anonymously, on 101, or by calling Crimestoppers, on 0800-555 111.”