CASH RECOVERED AS PART OF INVESTIGATION INTO CO-OP BURGLARY

Police say they have recovered what they believe to be some of the money stolen from the Co-Op in Sandown on Thursday night following the arrest of 2 men in East Cowes. As first reported by Island Echo, officers were deployed to the High Street in Sandown at just gone 22:00 following an alarm activation at the local Co-Op store. It was discovered that entry had been forced and that £5,000 cash had been stolen. Island Echo is told that the burglars, who were caught on CCTV, were in and out of the store within just a couple of minutes. The shop’s safe was not targeted, Police say, and the tills appeared to be intact, raising questions as to where the money was stored. Just an hour after the break-in, a 37-year-old man and a 33-year-old man, both from Southampton, were arrested in Castle Street in East Cowes – thought to be as they headed for the ferry back to the mainland. The duo were arrested on suspicion of burglary other than dwelling and conspiring to commit a burglary other than dwelling with intent to steal. Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary has confirmed to Island Echo that a quantity of cash – thought to be from the Co-Op – was seized when the men were arrested. Both men remain in Police custody at this time. Investigations are today continuing into the incident, including whether a 3rd person was involved in the burglary.