Together investigation by investigator D1:

OK, now, I understand the two of you witnessed an armed robbery and a kidnap. We need to
catch the guys that did this fast and the only clues that we have to go on are what you can tell
me. I'll talk to you later at the police station and we can take full statements, but for now I just
want you to focus on the key details of what happened and particularly what the robbers looked
like.
Now, I understand the suspects drove up and jumped out of a car, now, could either of you
describe it?
LILA:
Yes, it was a large silver car and the number plate was NG58 VXW. I knew it was going to be
very important to remember the number plate and I've got a really good memory. I don't know
much about cars and it was at least a hundred feet away, so I can't tell you the make, just the
number plate. But it was silver and it looked very new and expensive. It had a red light in the
back window and four doors. I know it had four doors because I remember them all being open
at once. That must've been when the men jumped out and opened the ones in the front as well as
the two back doors. I had a good view of the car; I kept staring at it as the robbery went on for a
bit, easily 10 minutes, so I had a lot of time to study the plate.
SETH:
I don't remember the car pulling up, just that the robbers were suddenly there, jumping out of the
car I suppose. I remember the tires screeching though, so I guess the car must've pulled up fast. I
was pretty shook up, so didn't think to look at the number plate, but yeah, large silver car sounds
right. Tires must've screeched as they drove around the corner. Then they all jumped out and
started waving guns about, it was terrifying. I don't have a good memory of the details, but yeah,
they must've all jumped out of a large silver car and if I had to guess I would say it was an Audi,
but I'm not really sure.
DI BULLET:
Great, thank you. Lila you're a real star for remembering that number plate. So, let's take it from
when they all jump out of the car, what happened then.
LILA:
There were 3 of them, 4 including the driver. The three jumped out and ran over to the security
van and grabbed hold of two of the security guards. They all had guns and they forced the guards
to the ground. Two of them were wearing balaclava masks so I couldn't see their faces. The third,
who had a fight with one of the guards and hit him had a hood, I think, but it wasn't up so I could
see his face. He had very curly, shoulder-length black hair, was about 5 foot 3 and had quite dark
skin. I would say he's in his early 20's, say... 22? and maybe he was Spanish or Italian? Or
probably Asian. Yeah I would say he was probably Indian. They didn't say anything so I didn't
hear an accent and the other two kept their masks on, so I don't know what they looked like. But
all three seemed pretty similar, you know, quite stocky? Not fat necessarily, but stocky, like
they'd all worked out a lot, like they were bouncers maybe. They all had on dark jackets that had
hoods and all of them were wearing army trousers, you know? Like, they have camouflage on
them? Two of them, they aimed their guns at security guards whilst the third grabbed a case. The
case was on a chain, so he had to break the chain with some sort of tool.
DI BULLET
So you got a good look at the unmasked one that was fighting with the guard. Would you be able
to identify him if you saw him again?
LILA
Yes. I got a good look at him and I would definitely be able to recognise him again.
DI BULLET
Seth. Talk me through what happened.
SETH FOLLOW LILA
OK, they all jumped out the car, firing shots into the air. Two ran to the van and made the guards
get out. I don't really remember much, but I think Lila's right, the one who didn't have a mask
was being really aggressive and fighting with one of the guards. He was about... 20? That's the
Asian one isn't it? About 20 and... 5 foot 3 or 4?
DI BULLET
Is there any more that you can tell me about these three - were they wearing camouflage, dark
jackets?
SETH
I think that's right, yeah, camouflage. A bit like soldiers, only they had jackets on. They were all
muscly. Really stocky, like they reminded me of bouncers or something. The Indian guy started
fighting with one guard, and he hit him in the head I think? He fought the guard to the ground
and he stole the case that was chained to his wrist. The others had masks so I didn't really see
them. Oh, and now I think about it, there was something a bit odd about one of them. I remember
thinking that one of them was different, almost... almost childlike maybe? Or a like a woman
maybe? But you know, I didn't really get a good look at them so it's probably nothing. They
didn't really come over to us and I didn't want them to. All of them were similar - dark jackets,
camouflage trousers... I'm sorry, I'm not sure I can say any more than that.
DI BULLET
Well that's great guys, you're doing really well. We've got the number plate and a good
description. Now, let's deal with the kidnap.
SETH
That was the worst bit. I was hoping they were just gonna ignore us, but then the driver got out
the car and he just started running towards us. He had a gun, like, a shotgun, and he was firing it
in the air and shouting. I was really scared. He was a tall white guy, hard looking, short hair. He
just ran towards us and grabbed Liz. She was just standing there with us but he grabbed her and
he dragged her screaming back to the car and... well, then they were gone, with Liz.
LILA
Was it the driver? I mean, someone definitely grabbed Liz... no you're right, it must've been the
driver, as the other three were fighting with the security guards. The driver was firing his shotgun
in the air and shouting at Liz. He was white, and older than the others, probably... 30? and a lot
stockier, you know, but also a lot taller. I mean well over 6 foot, probably... 6 foot 3 or 4? He
was a really tall guy, he towered right over Liz, but really well built, too. He was dressed like a
soldier, camouflage all over and no mask. He had very short hair.
DI BULLET
How short? You mean like a soldier would have, a crew cut?
LILA
Yeah, like a soldier, like a soldier's crew cut, and he also had a soldier's face, if you know what I
mean, you know, like he was a very hard man used to giving orders. He dragged Liz back to the
car, bundled her in and then drove off, really fast.
DI BULLET
So you both got a good look at the driver who kidnapped Liz as he was very close to you. Would
you be able to identify him if you saw him again?
LILA
He was very close to us, so yes, I would definitely be able to identify him.
SETH
I'm not sure. Now that I think about it, there was something odd about his face. Was he wearing
sunglasses? That seems really odd but I think he was. They had really dark lenses and silver
frames. I just don't remember his face. Maybe he had like a cap on and sunglasses so he was hard
to see. I remember the shotgun, which he kept firing, but I'm sorry, I'm really just not sure what
he looked like.
DI BULLET
Right, I think we've got plenty to be going on with, let me just go over my notes with you. Lila,
you said a large silver Audi, new and expensive looking, screeched around the corner, and and
the number plate was definitely November-Golf-5-8, Victor-X-ray-Whiskey.
LILA
Yes, the number plate was definitely NG58 VXW.
DI BULLET
Good. After that, four guys jump out, all wearing army fatigues and dark jackets and they start
firing guns into the air. Three of them run over to the security fan, and the driver ran towards
you, threatening you with a shotgun, grabs Liz, drags her back to the car. The other three fight
with the guards, use a tool to cut the chain attaching the case to one of the guards and then steal
it. Is that pretty much it?
SETH
That sounds right to me.
DI BULLET
Now for the descriptions. The driver is a Caucasian male, in his 30's, 6 foot 3 or 4, dressed like a
soldier and with dark hair in a crew cut. The guy who steals the case is an Asian male, in his 20's,
5 foot 3, stocky with long, dark, curly hair. All are armed with shotguns.
LILA
Yes, yep, you've got it all.
SETH
Yeah... I mean, I think that's right... it was just really scary to go through, but that summary
makes sense, so... that's how it must've happened.
DI BULLET
So, some very useful details there. Lila was a perfect witness - not too scared, remembered loads
of details, really managed to keep her head and come through for us. Not so sure about Seth, he
was obviously terrified. I don't trust his memory about the car being an Audi, but as Lila
remembered the number plate I don't need to. She also gave us a good description of the suspects
- 4 men, 2 with masks - the unmasked guy's Asian, probably of Indian ancestry, in his early 20s,
has long, thick curly dark hair. He's 5 foot 3, very stocky. The driver was Caucasian, early 30s, 6
foot 4 and well-built. He had a crew cut and wore army fatigues. I think Lila is likely to be very
reliable. I think all that business from Seth about sunglasses and not being able to see the driver's
face is just because he was so scared. He probably didn't get a good look at the guy and that's
why he can't remember his face.