Robber is captured (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Robber is captured

4:05pm Tuesday 10th July 2001 in

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BRAVE customers in a Welling bank captured an armed robber as he raided their branch.

The robbery took place at the Lloyds TSB branch in Bellegrove Road, Welling, shortly before lunch on July 3.

The lone gunman entered the bank and forced staff to hand over money. According to a witness, it was when the robber tried to leave with the cash he ran into trouble.

He tripped and fell, and was leapt on by customers who tied his shoelaces together and held onto him until police arrived.

The witness said: “He was howling like a dog. It was bizarre.”

Michael Hepburn, 36, of no fixed address appeared before Bexley Magistrates charged with armed robbery.

He was remanded in custody and will appear at Croydon Crown Court this Friday.