Imitation gun seized from Smethwick man trying to steal from shop
A would-be robber from Smethwick has been arrested after police found him with an imitation gun while trying to steal a till from a shop.
Motorbike officer Pc Dave Humpherson was heading down Ethel Street, in Birmingham, on Tuesday at around 7.20pm, when he heard cries for help from members of the public in a Subway shop.
Pc Humpherson rushed in to find staff holding on to a suspect – who had allegedly shoved a member of staff and tried to steal from the till.
The officer arrested him on suspicion of attempted robbery, before finding a gas-powered air gun and nine cartridges when searching him.
The 23-year-old suspect, from the Smethwick area, was then arrested on suspicion of possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
Pc Humpherson said: "While it is not a real gun that has been recovered, anyone being threatened with it would be put in real fear.
“Police sometimes get given a hard time for taking food breaks, but it just goes to show that even when we are taking a quick break, we are always alert and ready to help.”
A spokesman from West Midlands Police said: "A 23-year-old man has been detained under the Mental Health Act."
