FUGITIVE armed robbery suspect Colin Douglas was captured following a high-speed chase late last night.

After three days on the run Douglas was arrested by police trying to flee Weymouth in a speeding car.

Shortly before 10pm a car, thought to be driven by the man on the run, was seen travelling at high speed through Weymouth followed by several police cars with sirens and blue flights flashing.

Douglas’s car finally crashed about half a mile from the village of Broadmayne and he made a run for it into nearby woodland.

Police cars were slewed across the road as officers went In pursuit of Douglas who was believed to be armed.

They finally got their man following a brief chase through the woodland, though the gun was not recovered.

Armed police stood guard as Douglas was handcuffed and bundled into a police vehicle.

A police spokesman said firearms officers, traffic officers, the police dog section and Force helicopter were all heavily involved in the pursuit.

He added: "Just after 10.30pm police arrested 25-year-old Colin Paul Douglas on suspicion of armed robbery and he is now in police custody.

"The pursuit began after Douglas was seen by police officers driving a vehicle in the Westham area of Weymouth.

"He made off from officers in this vehicle in the direction of Dorchester and the pursuit continued until he crashed the vehicle just outside Broadmayne. He then made off into a wooded area on foot where he was pursued by officers and arrested.

"Colin Douglas was believed to be in possession of a firearm during the pursuit and this has not yet been recovered. The scene of the arrest has been sealed off as part of an ongoing search for this firearm."

The A352 was closed between the Max Gate roundabout in Dorchester and the Warmwell roundabout near the village of Broadmayne.

A black Vauxhall Vectra car was recovered from the scene of the arrest. The officer leading the hunt, Chief Superintendent Colin Stanger, said: "I'd like to thank the public for their help and support throughout what has been a long and intensive police operation.

"Our officers and staff have worked tirelessly and I'm pleased we have been able to bring this to a safe conclusion with the arrest tonight of Colin Paul Douglas.

"I'd like to stress that no shots were fired during the pursuit and subsequent arrest."

The arrest brought to an end Dorset Police’s 55-hour manhunt for the 25-year-old, who was wanted for an armed robbery at a Post Office in Abbotsbury Road on Wednesday and other offences.

The large-scale investigation has gripped the town’s residents who were left in shock after the robbery in broad-daylight and the hijacking of an innocent bystander’s car.

Dozens of armed police officers, patrol officers and detectives have scoured the town and raided numerous houses looking for the suspect.

Police chiefs said the largest operation in the area for several years was the forces ‘top priority.’ The arrest came just hours after the Post Office offered a £25,000 reward for anyone giving information about the whereabouts of Douglas that directly leads to his arrest and subsequent conviction.

During the armed robbery no-one was injured, but a quantity of money was stolen.

After the robbery the suspect evaded officers by driving away but then crashed his red Nissan Almera at the Fiveways junction.

He then got out of his car with his gun and threatened a policeman who approached him.

The suspect then threatened a woman and stole her black Saab convertible car, which was later found by police in Gallwey Road alongside an air rifle.

Have you been affected by the events over the last few days?

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