This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-27315001
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Fugitive 'Skull Cracker' Michael Wheatley in custody | Fugitive 'Skull Cracker' Michael Wheatley in custody |
(35 minutes later) | |
A fugitive armed robber nicknamed the "Skull Cracker" has been arrested in east London. | A fugitive armed robber nicknamed the "Skull Cracker" has been arrested in east London. |
Kent Police said they had detained two men, aged 55 and 53, on suspicion of conspiracy to commit armed robbery. | Kent Police said they had detained two men, aged 55 and 53, on suspicion of conspiracy to commit armed robbery. |
The force added: "The 55-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of being unlawfully at large." | |
Michael Wheatley, who absconded from HMP Standford Hill in Kent on Saturday, was given 13 life sentences in 2002 for raids on banks and building societies. | |
He has gone on the run twice in the past and each time staged a series of violent robberies before he was caught and re-jailed. | |
'Machine guns' | |
Detectives were earlier investigating an armed robbery at Chelsea Building Society branch in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey. | Detectives were earlier investigating an armed robbery at Chelsea Building Society branch in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey. |
An eyewitness, who asked not to be named, said he saw the arrest by armed police in Bow. | An eyewitness, who asked not to be named, said he saw the arrest by armed police in Bow. |
He said the police had machine guns and a man was wrestled to the ground. | He said the police had machine guns and a man was wrestled to the ground. |
Staff at the open prison on Sheppey raised the alert on Saturday after Wheatley had been released on temporary licence but failed to return that evening. | Staff at the open prison on Sheppey raised the alert on Saturday after Wheatley had been released on temporary licence but failed to return that evening. |
On Monday, there was a confirmed sighting of him in Twickenham, south west London, and several homes were searched but he was not found. | On Monday, there was a confirmed sighting of him in Twickenham, south west London, and several homes were searched but he was not found. |
Earlier, police were called to the raid at a building society in Sunbury, where "a quantity of cash" was taken. | Earlier, police were called to the raid at a building society in Sunbury, where "a quantity of cash" was taken. |