Youths who are believed to have picked up cash dropped by raiders leaving a town bank have been arrested by police.
The youths, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were arrested on suspicion of theft after the bank robbery at Lloyds TSB on Mount Pleasant Road last Thursday.
They were interviewed and released on police bail pending further enquiries.
Police have made no arrests yet in connection with the £75,000 robbery, which saw staff threatened with a handgun, sledgehammer and crowbar.
A renewed appeal for witnesses to come forward has been made by detectives who are also examining the possibility that the robbery may be linked to two other similar incidents – one in Telford on September 5 and another in Kidderminster last Friday.
The four men entered the bank at about 9.25am last Thursday.
Nobody was injured during the robbery but staff were left shaken and distressed.
A fifth man is believed to have remained in the robber’s vehicle outside, a black ’04 registration Fiat Ulysse people carrier, which the other four jumped into before it made off down Mount Pleasant Road.
Maria Hawkaluk, West Mercia Police press officer, said: “Three youths were arrested on suspicion of theft in connection with an alleged incident involving money reportedly dropped by men who robbed Lloyds TSB on Thursday.”
Det Insp Jason Wells, who is leading the investigation, said: “Despite an extensive police search, also involving the force helicopter, the men were not found and we believe they may have had a second vehicle somewhere in the area.
“I would ask people to think back and if any of them saw four or five white men, dressed in dark clothing and carrying two large black Umbro holdalls with white piping, either on foot or getting into a vehicle then please call Shrewsbury CID on 08457 444888.”
The offenders were all white, between about 5ft 8in and 6ft tall and of stocky build. They had their faces covered, were dressed in dark clothing and at least two also had their hoods up.
One of the men was wearing jeans and a dark anorak with light-coloured piping.
