Two elderly women in Taunton were victims of brazen jewellery snatchings, prompting a swift police response that led to the arrest of two men. The incidents took place on Monday, April 27, with the first reported between 3:30 pm and 3:45 pm.
A woman in her 60s had several necklaces forcibly removed in Hammet Street, sustaining a neck injury in the process. Just ten minutes later, a woman in her 90s had a gold chain snatched from Victoria Gate; fortunately, she did not report any injuries.
The suspects fled the scene in a car, triggering a multi-agency search involving Avon and Somerset Police, Somerset Council’s CCTV operators, roads policing units, Gwent Police, and the National Police Air Service helicopter. This coordinated effort resulted in the two suspects being apprehended in Newport, Gwent, by 5:20 pm that same day.
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The arrested individuals, both from Bristol—a man in his 20s and a teenager—are being held on suspicion of robbery, with the elder also facing driving offence charges. Police also recovered a quantity of suspected stolen gold jewellery.
Inspector Steve Jones of Avon and Somerset Police expressed concern over the targeting of elderly victims, calling the crime “highly unusual.” He thanked the public and agencies involved for their prompt action and encouraged anyone with information or footage related to the incidents to contact the police, quoting reference number 5226114992.
Anyone with relevant information is urged to call 101 and assist ongoing investigations.