£5,000 reward to find gunman on the loose (From Daily Echo)

£5,000 reward to find the New Forest gunman on the loose

8:58am Monday 24th December 2012 in New Forest Exclusive By Julian Robinson, Eastleigh Chief Reporter

A £5,000 reward has today been offered in a bid to track down a gunman who has terrorised people in the New Forest.

The cash was put up as police today released an artist’s impression of the man they believe is responsible for raids at Brockenhurst Railway Station and at a couple’s home in Lymington It comes after officers released without charge a 44-year-old from Lymington – the third man they had arrested in connection with the two robberies.

As the manhunt continues, the Crimestoppers charity has offered a £5,000 reward to anyone with information that could lead to the arrest and conviction of the culprit.

Detective Inspector Dave Dilly, who is leading the investigation, said: “We are grateful to Crimestoppers for offering this award in a joint commitment to tracking down this gunman before he strikes again.

“We are convinced that someone somewhere knows who he is and where he is and we would urge people to listen again to his voice recording from a 999 call.

“If you recognise him, do the right thing and contact us immediately.”

As reported, the first robbery happened at around 6.30am on December 4 shortly after the victim had parked his Porsche at Brockenhurst Railway Station.

The gunman, who laid in wait against a bush on the other side of the main road, approached him in the car park and ordered him back into the car.

They then drove around before the robber forced the man to withdraw and hand over a “significant” amount of cash.

The victim was then dumped in a Forest car park, with his vehicle left nearby.

In the second attack, a husband and wife were held hostage in their own home by the gunman, who then drove the 64- year-old woman around Lymington before returning her home.

In an exclusive interview, she told the Daily Echo she berated her captor as the “most hopeless criminal” she’d ever met.

Hampshire ’ s major investigation unit has been working around the clock to track down the gunman and has even held a public meeting to reassure worried residents.

Detectives have already arrested a 48-year-old man from Lymington and a 44-year-old New Milton man over the raids. They have been released on police bail, pending inquiries, until February.

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• Anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting Operation Prenton or call the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.