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Suspect in Suffolk 1993 £1m raid 'held in US after tip-off' | Suspect in Suffolk 1993 £1m raid 'held in US after tip-off' |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A former security guard wanted over a £1m heist in Suffolk 19 years ago was arrested in the United States following a tip-off, court documents have revealed. | A former security guard wanted over a £1m heist in Suffolk 19 years ago was arrested in the United States following a tip-off, court documents have revealed. |
Eddie Maher, 56, appeared in an American court on Thursday after being tracked down to Ozark, Missouri. | Eddie Maher, 56, appeared in an American court on Thursday after being tracked down to Ozark, Missouri. |
He disappeared after a security van theft outside Lloyds Bank in Hamilton Road, Felixstowe, in 1993. | He disappeared after a security van theft outside Lloyds Bank in Hamilton Road, Felixstowe, in 1993. |
Mr Maher, from Essex, has been charged with firearm and immigration offences. | Mr Maher, from Essex, has been charged with firearm and immigration offences. |
The van was later found abandoned and empty on the seafront. | The van was later found abandoned and empty on the seafront. |
Mr Maher, originally from South Woodham Ferrers, appeared at the United States District Court, in Springfield, Missouri, after being charged over immigration offences and illegally possessing firearms. | Mr Maher, originally from South Woodham Ferrers, appeared at the United States District Court, in Springfield, Missouri, after being charged over immigration offences and illegally possessing firearms. |
Documents filed at Thursday's hearing showed police had placed Mr Maher's Ozark home under surveillance after receiving "information about a fugitive from England". | Documents filed at Thursday's hearing showed police had placed Mr Maher's Ozark home under surveillance after receiving "information about a fugitive from England". |
They show officers were told Mr Maher had been using an alias and "was wanted in England" over the theft of a "large amount of cash while he was working as a security guard". | They show officers were told Mr Maher had been using an alias and "was wanted in England" over the theft of a "large amount of cash while he was working as a security guard". |
He was identified after police compared a photograph on his Missouri driving licence with the image police released following his disappearance. | He was identified after police compared a photograph on his Missouri driving licence with the image police released following his disappearance. |
Jeffrey Atwood, an FBI special agent, told the court Mr Maher had "threatened to kill the person who tipped police off about his identity". | Jeffrey Atwood, an FBI special agent, told the court Mr Maher had "threatened to kill the person who tipped police off about his identity". |
The court heard police first spoke to Mr Maher on Monday, when he complained one of his guns had been stolen by his son's wife. | The court heard police first spoke to Mr Maher on Monday, when he complained one of his guns had been stolen by his son's wife. |
Under surveillance | Under surveillance |
"After making the report, an officer allegedly told Maher that he was wanted in England but the officer could not arrest him," Mr Atwood wrote in the court document. | "After making the report, an officer allegedly told Maher that he was wanted in England but the officer could not arrest him," Mr Atwood wrote in the court document. |
"Maher's son overheard what the officer said and asked Maher about it after they left the police station. | "Maher's son overheard what the officer said and asked Maher about it after they left the police station. |
"Maher told his son that they would have to leave again, and threatened to kill the person who tipped the police off about his identity." | "Maher told his son that they would have to leave again, and threatened to kill the person who tipped the police off about his identity." |
Police were watching Mr Maher's home and on Tuesday followed him to a motel in Ozark, where he was arrested on Wednesday. | Police were watching Mr Maher's home and on Tuesday followed him to a motel in Ozark, where he was arrested on Wednesday. |
Mr Maher's wife, Deborah, told police that he had used the alias of Stephen King but had "primarily" called himself Michael Maher. | Mr Maher's wife, Deborah, told police that he had used the alias of Stephen King but had "primarily" called himself Michael Maher. |
Mr Maher, who is believed to have been working in the US for a cable company, will next appear in court on 22 February. | Mr Maher, who is believed to have been working in the US for a cable company, will next appear in court on 22 February. |
Around 50 bags, containing £1m in £20 notes, £10 notes and coins, were stolen during the Felixstowe robbery. | Around 50 bags, containing £1m in £20 notes, £10 notes and coins, were stolen during the Felixstowe robbery. |
They were transferred into a Toyota Previa Space Cruiser vehicle with false number plates, stolen earlier in London. | They were transferred into a Toyota Previa Space Cruiser vehicle with false number plates, stolen earlier in London. |
The Toyota was then driven to a car park on the nearby Landguard peninsula. | The Toyota was then driven to a car park on the nearby Landguard peninsula. |
It is believed the money was transferred again into a car that was later found burnt-out in Essex. | It is believed the money was transferred again into a car that was later found burnt-out in Essex. |
Suffolk police said officers had begun a review of its investigation and was discussing extradition proceedings with the Crown Prosecution Service. |
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