Staff at store are arrested in swoop

Police swooped on a pawnbrokers in the Black Country and arrested four members of staff after suspected stolen goods were sold on the internet.

Jewellery, electrical items and tools that were believed to have been stolen were found listed on internet auction site Ebay.

An investigation led officers back to the Cash Converters store in Stourbridge High Street, where it is alleged the goods were accepted and sold online.

Police shut the store and searched it at 10am yesterday, with customers being ushered outside.

Two men, aged 25 and 68, and two women, aged 26 and 28 were arrested on suspicion of conspiring to handle stolen goods. They were released on bail pending further enquiries.

The shop was closed for the rest of the day and was only open today for customers to buy back their goods.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Parsons, crime manager for Dudley Police, said: "This warrant was executed in direct response to information that has been received from the community."

David Patrick, Chief Executive at Cash Converters said: "I can confirm that we are currently helping the police with their investigation into incident/practices within the Stourbridge store.

"From today the store will be open to customers looking to redeem their items on buyback. We hope to be able to open the store and resume normal service as soon as possible and will keep customers updated through the local store."