A 19-YEAR-OLD is on bail today after being arrested on suspicion of involvement in an armed robbery and an Ipswich pub car park cash-snatch.

The teenager was also detained by police on suspicion of possessing a firearm.

The suspect was arrested on Friday in connection with an armed raid on the Spar shop in Freehold Road, and a robbery at the The Thrasher pub in Nacton Road.

He was taken to the police investigation centre after being detained late last week.

The teenager was interviewed by officers, before being released on bail pending further enquiries.

He must return to the police investigation centre on July 24.

Two other men – another 19-year-old and an 18-year-old – were previously arrested in connection with both robberies.

The pair are also currently on bail, one until July 24, the other until June 25.

Six robbers stormed into the Spar at around 9pm on January 31.

One of the gang had a sword while four others were reported to have knives or similar bladed weapons.

The robbers pushed two young members of staff into the corner behind the counter, and ordered them to reveal where the money was kept.

The male worker had a knife put to his throat, while the female had another sharp object held to her neck. The pair were then bundled into the store room at the back of the shop and bound-up.

The robbers left the store with the day’s takings, alcohol, cigarettes, and some scratch cards.

Two months later, on March 26, a female member of staff at The Thrasher in Nacton Road was robbed by two balaclava-clad men in the pub car park.

The victim was in her car when one of the men got into the vehicle and grabbed a bag containing cash. One man, Tyrone Clarke, 18, of Shackleton Square, Ipswich, has pleaded guilty to being involved in the Spar robbery.

He is due to be sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court sometime during the three weeks commencing June 25.