1 DI Bullet: witness interviews

We found the getaway car just 30 minutes after the crime took place, a Silver Audi A8, number plate NG58 VXW. Liz was still inside and okay, but was very shaken, and we couldn't get anything useful from her. The car was abandoned in Manor Green, there’s a lot of warehouses in that area, including one we know to be used by a gang of ex-soldiers, who now make a living from various petty crimes, and the occasional armed robbery. They've all got previous form, particularly their leader, who is a big big, bald guy known as The Sergeant. A couple of the crew are of Indian origin, including Fat Baz, who is a short, overweight guy that we've banged up for bar fights on several occasions. These guys are pros, and they run their scores like a military operation. They are definitely the ones I like for this armed robbery, it has their MO all over it. I’m now going to interview the witnesses.

I'm going to interview you separately and your interviews will be recorded, so try to keep to the facts. Based on your initial statements we've made very good progress with our investigations and have we’ve got some very interesting lines of inquiry. We now need your help to make sure we have the evidence we need to catch these guys and put them away for a long time. We don't have any other evidence, so we really need you to come through for us. Lila, we'll start with you. You gave us some great information at the crime scene Lila, so I just need to get it all down in a formal statement. Let's start with an easy one, you said you saw a large silver Audi tear round the corner into the street you were in. What did you notice about the car and can you tell me what happened?

Yes. The number plate of the Audi was NG58 VXW. It drove into the street, tyres squealing and 4 men jumped out.

Did they all have shot guns?

Yes. They were all waving shot guns and firing them into the air.

Can you describe any of these men?

They were wearing army gear, you know, like camouflage stuff, though some of them had dark jackets over the top. Two had masks so I couldn't see them. The unmasked man who stole the case from the guard was about 5 foot 3, had long, black, curly hair and was of Indian origin. Probably early 20s. He was very stocky. They were all stocky, like they were body builders or bouncers.

Those were the three that attacked the two security guards right?

Yes. They ran to the van and started fighting with the guards.

So, we are looking for a stocky guy of Indian ethnicity. You say he was like a bouncer. Do you mean that he looked quite big?

Yes, not tall, but not at all skinny you know?

Is it possible that he was stocky because he was overweight? I mean, you can't really tell if someone is muscly or fat when they are wearing a coat right?

I suppose not. Yes, he certainly could have been overweight. The point is that he definitely wasn't skinny.

What about the driver, the one who kidnapped Liz?

He was dressed like a soldier. He grabbed Liz. He was really tall, maybe 6 foot 3. Caucasian and in his 30s, about 32. He really looked like a soldier, like very hard looking and professional. He was older than all the others and he was shouting at them.

So he was in charge? He was telling the others what to do and it was his decision to grab Liz?

Yes. I think he was the leader.

When you say he looked like a soldier, did he have a soldier's hair?

Yes, like a crew cut, like he was in the army.

So, very, very short hair then.

Yes.

So short that you couldn't really see his hair?

Well, I mean, you could be right.

So short that he could have been bald? It is hard to distinguish sometimes between a crew cut and being bald. I often think soldiers can look bald.

That's true. Yes, he could easily have been bald. If he had hair, it was really, really short, but I suppose he could have been bald too.

Right. Let's try and run through the timeline of events. A large, silver Audi pulls up and 4 guys jump out with guns. Then what happens?

Three run to the van, firing their guns.

Are the guards still in the van at this point?

Ummm... I suppose they must have been. Yes because the robbers dragged them out. The unmasked one starts fighting with one of the guards - the one that has the case. He cuts the case from the guard.

What are the other two doing whilst this is going on? Did they join in the fight or were they covering the other guard?

Covering the other guard.

So, at what point did the driver grab Liz? Was it whilst all this was going on?

Yes. He ran over to us and he started pulling Liz towards the car. He was shouting at us and firing his gun.

Did he threaten you?

Well he must have. It was all very loud. Liz was screaming.

Did he threaten to shoot you.? To shoot Liz?

Yes.

And then they all ran back to the car and sped off?

Yes.

Okay Lila, nearly there. Just a few things for the record. Did you get a good look at the car, the 4 men and all that happened?

Yes.

How far were you away, and was there anything obstructing your view?

I guess it was about 10 feet, and I had a very good view.

Would you be able to recognise the men if you saw them again?

Yes, I think so... probably. At least the two without masks. They were quite distinctive - one was like a soldier and one was Indian looking.

So, you got a very good view of the two men and are confident you could pick them out of a lineup?

Yes, I could pick them out.

Great! Many thanks indeed Lila.