Bank robberies: images released
Detectives investigating two armed bank robberies have released CCTV images of men they want to trace.
The men were caught on camera at two Leicester branches of Santander, which were raided 10 days apart.
Police are considering the possibility the robberies are linked.
The first incident happened at the branch in Woodgate, which was targeted at 4.30pm on Wednesday, October 3.
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A man threatened a cashier with a handgun and escaped with a bag of money.
The second robbery took place shortly before noon on Saturday, at the branch in Narborough Road.
The bank was raided by two men who threatened staff with a handgun before escaping on foot with a quantity of cash.
Neighbours reported the pair also took jewellery from people who were in the branch at the time.
At this stage, police do not know if the firearms were real or replicas.
Detective Constable Michelle Bigg said: "We have been studying CCTV footage from both incidents and are now able to release images of people we need to identify and trace.
"This was obviously a very distressing incident for the staff and customers in the premises at the time.
"If you recognise the people in the images or you saw similar described men in the areas of the incidents we would urge you to contact the police.
"If you believe you may know who is responsible for the incidents, or you've heard rumours locally, we would ask that you contact the police immediately."
Meanwhile, detectives investigating a series of five armed robberies at shops and a petrol station over the weekend arrested two further suspects – bringing the number of people in custody in relation to the raids to four.
Detectives confirmed yesterday that they believe the raids in Leicester, Thurmaston and Houghton on the Hill are linked.
The first target, a shop in Uppingham Road, Leicester, was robbed at 8.15pm on Friday.
The next day, the Local Convenience Store, in Humberstone Lane, Thurmaston, was targeted at 8.10pm.
About 35 minutes later, armed robbers burst into a shop in Leicester's Saffron Lane, while an hour later, at 9.45pm, a shop in Cardinals Walk, Netherhall, was attacked.
The most recent robbery happened at Houghton Garage, Houghton on the Hill, on Sunday night.
Police yesterday arrested two teenagers, aged 15 and 19, in connection with the petrol station robbery.
Two boys, aged 16 and 17, were arrested on Sunday night in connection with the petrol station robbery and the four previous robberies.
Detective Inspector Simon Cure said: "Our investigation into these robberies continues to progress, but I still can't stress how important it is for witnesses to come forward.
"We do now believe that these incidents are linked and have two people arrested in connection with all five.
"Our investigation is by no means complete and we still want to speak to witnesses."
Anyone with information about any of the raids should call Leicestershire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, which is free and anonymous, on 0800 555 111.
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