Southsea man, 43, arrested after CEX stores targeted by knife-wielding robber

After CEX and Co-Op stores were targeted by someone wielding a knife over the past couple of weeks, police officers have arrested a man in connection with four robberies across Portsmouth, Havant, Eastleigh and Southampton.

On Wednesday, October 19 at approximately 3pm a man entered the CEX store at the Meridian Centre in Havant and threatened staff with a knife. He attempted to steal one of the tills but left shortly afterwards. Nothing was taken.

At approximately 4.10pm on the same day, a man entered the CEX store in London Road, North End, threatened staff with a knife and left with around £1,500.

At around 2.30pm on Monday, October 24, a man entered the CEX store on Market Street in Eastleigh with a knife and took cash from the tills. Later that day a man entered the Co-op store on Parkville Road in Southampton with a knife and stole a pack of beer.

Now, Hampshire Constabulary has confirmed that a 43-year-old man from Southsea has been arrested.

A spokeswoman for the police force said: ‘Officers investigating the robberies arrested a 43-year-old man from Southsea in the Winchester area on Monday, October 24 on suspicion of three counts of robbery, one count of attempted robbery, one count of possession of a Class A drug and two counts of assaulting an emergency worker in connection with an assault that took place during his arrest.

‘He has also been arrested on suspicion of dwelling burglary in connection with an incident in Newport in July.’

The man is being kept in police custody.