Two men suspected of attempting to rob the Up Hatherley Post Office in Cheltenham were found hiding in a nearby loft, Gloucestershire Constabulary has revealed. The incident occurred on the afternoon of Friday, February 27, but details have only recently been made public.
According to police, at around 4:10 pm, two masked men, each armed with a suspected firearm, entered the post office on Hatherley Road and demanded money from a staff member. They fled empty-handed after spotting a customer inside the premises.
The suspects escaped in a white Audi registered with stolen number plates. Firearms officers were quickly deployed and, after a 40-minute search, located the vehicle on a nearby street. Officers found the suspected firearm in the driver’s door pocket, along with one stolen license plate underneath the car and another in a nearby bush.
Further investigation led officers to a nearby address where a road closure was put in place as the property was contained. One man in his 40s left the property voluntarily, while two men in their 30s were found hiding in the loft. All three were arrested on suspicion of possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear and attempted robbery.
Scene guards were established at both the post office and the address where suspects were found, allowing forensic teams to conduct thorough examinations of both locations. The Audi was also seized and examined by crime scene officers. The alleged firearm was confirmed to be an imitation.
All three men were released on bail pending further inquiries. Additionally, a fourth man was arrested on March 3 but has since also been released on bail.
Investigating officers are urging anyone who witnessed the event or has relevant footage to come forward. Information can be submitted online by quoting incident number 320 of February 27.