IPSWICH: Police investigating the alleged burglary which saw Johnathan Ehlert electrocuted to death have arrested the victim’s brother, it emerged today.
Mr Ehlert, 30, sustained fatal burns while apparently breaking into a substation in Ransomes Way last week.
His younger brother, Mark Vince, who helped while Mr Ehlert was on fire, was arrested on Monday on suspicion of burglary.
The 24-year-old has been bailed to return to Ipswich police station on Friday, June 4.
Two other men – Adam Head, 30, and Frank Day, 27, both from Ipswich – were arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of burglary. The pair have also been bailed until June 4.
Mr Ehlert’s mother, Denise Collins, today said she did not blame the people he was allegedly with for her son’s death.
“What was going to happen was going to happen,” she said. “I have got nothing against the boys personally.
“Mark is very traumatised. He has told us the truth from the beginning. No-one has been charged. Them being arrested has got nothing to do with John’s death.”
Of her son’s death, she added: “I am trying to be strong for the rest of the family, but inside I’m crumbling away.”
When Ms Collins spoke to The Evening Star earlier this week, she said Mr Vince had pulled his brother out of the substation after seeing him on fire.
But she attacked “hurtful” comments posted on the Star website which had painted Mr Ehlert as a burglar.
When officers arrived after the incident on Wednesday, April 14, they found that the rear doors had allegedly been forced open and tools used to cut metal cables had been discarded.
The early investigations centred on a man who had waved down the attending ambulance, but left the scene when it arrived.
Mr Ehlert, a former Holywells High School pupil, leaves his partner, Kerri Velzian, their children – Zoe, eight, and Reece, two – as well as two other brothers, Simon and Tony, and sister Sammy.
His funeral is due to be held at All Hallows Church in Landseer Road, Ipswich, at 11am on May 5.
n What are your views on the alleged burglary? Write to Your Letters, The Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or you can send an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk
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