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Version 2 Version 3
Car appeal in search for gunman Car appeal in search for gunman
(about 3 hours later)
Raoul Thomas Moat should not be approached, police have saidRaoul Thomas Moat should not be approached, police have said
Police searching for suspected gunman Raoul Moat have released details of a car they are looking for.Police searching for suspected gunman Raoul Moat have released details of a car they are looking for.
Northumbria Police said the black Lexus IS200 SE with licence plate V322 HKX belongs to one of Moat's friends.Northumbria Police said the black Lexus IS200 SE with licence plate V322 HKX belongs to one of Moat's friends.
Moat, 37, is believed to have shot his ex-girlfriend, killed her new partner and shot a police officer on Tyneside.Moat, 37, is believed to have shot his ex-girlfriend, killed her new partner and shot a police officer on Tyneside.
Police said the Lexus was very noisy, had damage under its bumper, two alloy wheels and two "space saver" thin wheels. As the hunt intensified police said the car was noisy, had a full body kit, damage under the bumper, two regular wheels and two "space saver" thin ones.
Samantha Stobbart, 22, was shot in Birtley, Gateshead, on Saturday along with boyfriend Chris Brown, 29.Samantha Stobbart, 22, was shot in Birtley, Gateshead, on Saturday along with boyfriend Chris Brown, 29.
Pc David Rathband, 42, remains in a critical condition after undergoing surgery for face and chest wounds suffered when he was shot in his patrol car in Newcastle on Sunday.Pc David Rathband, 42, remains in a critical condition after undergoing surgery for face and chest wounds suffered when he was shot in his patrol car in Newcastle on Sunday.
Police appealed for anyone with information about the Lexus to contact them.Police appealed for anyone with information about the Lexus to contact them.
Miss Stobbart is believed to have a two-year-old daughter with Moat
Supt Dennis Shotton said: "We have information that this car is connected to Moat, although it does not belong to him but to an associate.Supt Dennis Shotton said: "We have information that this car is connected to Moat, although it does not belong to him but to an associate.
Miss Stobbart is believed to have a two-year-old daughter with Moat
"We are keen to trace it as it may help us to locate Moat.""We are keen to trace it as it may help us to locate Moat."
Detectives believe the shootings were triggered by a grudge against Mr Brown and Miss Stobbart, which developed into a vendetta against the police.Detectives believe the shootings were triggered by a grudge against Mr Brown and Miss Stobbart, which developed into a vendetta against the police.
Miss Stobbart has informed police she falsely told Moat she was dating a policeman because she was frightened of him.
Before the attacks began Moat's Facebook status was changed to read: "Just got out of jail, I've lost everything, my business, my property and to top it all off my lass has gone off with someone else.Before the attacks began Moat's Facebook status was changed to read: "Just got out of jail, I've lost everything, my business, my property and to top it all off my lass has gone off with someone else.
"Watch and see what happens.""Watch and see what happens."
The former nightclub doorman is understood to have shot and killed Mr Brown outside a house in the Scafell area of Birtley a few yards from the front door. The former nightclub doorman, from the Fenham area of Newcastle, is understood to have shot and killed karate instructor Mr Brown outside a house in the Scafell area of Birtley before firing shots at Miss Stobbart through the living room window, hitting her twice.
On Monday police said she was no longer in a critical condition and was "improving". She is being given police protection.
Chris Brown (left) was killed and Pc David Rathband was injuredChris Brown (left) was killed and Pc David Rathband was injured
Soon after, shots were fired at Miss Stobbart through the living room window of the property. Police said a number of other people were being given protection amid fears others could be at risk.
On Monday it emerged police had been warned Moat had threatened to seriously harm his former girlfriend the day before she was shot and Mr Brown killed. It also emerged on Monday police had been warned Moat had threatened to seriously harm his former girlfriend the day before she was shot and Mr Brown killed.
Northumbria Police said Durham Prison had told them of Moat's comments a day after his release on Thursday. Northumbria Police said Durham Prison had told them of Moat's comments a day after his release on Thursday from an 18-week sentence for assault. The force has referred the matter to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
Det Ch Supt Neil Adamson also revealed police received a hand-written letter, purportedly from Moat, in the last 24 hours which outlined a number of "grievances". Det Ch Supt Neil Adamson also revealed police received a 40-page hand-written letter, purportedly from Moat, in the last 24 hours which outlined a number of "grievances".
Police said they believed Moat was still in the north-east of England but they suspected he probably had access to a vehicle.Police said they believed Moat was still in the north-east of England but they suspected he probably had access to a vehicle.
Firearms officers from forces including Cleveland, Humberside, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and Cumbria, have been brought in to help in the hunt for Moat.Firearms officers from forces including Cleveland, Humberside, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and Cumbria, have been brought in to help in the hunt for Moat.