A suspected armed robber has been arrested in Benfleet after allegedly stealing over £10,000 in a “targeted incident.”

Police were called to High Road in the town late on Wednesday night where a 35-year-old man from Brentwood and 17-year-old boy from Canvey were arrested after a car was stopped on the street.

The older man was arrested on suspicion of armed robbery as well as on suspicion of possession of cannabis and has been released on bail until April 30.

The boy will face no further action.

Witnesses on the road on Wednesday reported armed police screaming in the street with the road blocked to traffic until 10pm later the same night.

The incident is attached to an alleged armed robbery on April 3 in the village of Beauchamp Roding where a five-figure sum was stolen from the victim.

Two other men have been arrested in connection with this incident.   

A police spokesman said: “Two people were arrested on suspicion of robbery after a car was stopped in High Road, Benfleet, on the evening of Wednesday 6 April.

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“The first person arrested, a 35-year-old man from Brentwood, was also arrested on suspicion of possession of cannabis. He has been released on bail until 30 April.

“A 17-year-old boy from Canvey was also arrested, but will face no further action.

“Detectives from Loughton CID are keen to speak to anyone who may have been in the village between 6pm and 7:30pm and seen anything suspicious, and anyone with dash cam or doorbell footage in the area which may be relevant is asked to get in touch.”

They added: “Please quote the crime reference number 42/84037/22.”

Local politicians were appaled to hear about the incident including Tom Skipp, a councillor for the Appleton ward where High Road is located.

He said: "It's shocking to hear. It's the sort of nasty incident which is not normal for this area,

"However I'm very glad the police were on top of it and they were able to make a very swift arrest."  

To report an incident online at www.essex.police.uk or use the 'Live Chat' button to speak to an online operator between 7am-11pm.

Alternatively, you can call 101.

Information can also be given to independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or crimestoppers-uk.org.