Plymouth Robber Alan Levers who died in raid was held face down
AN ARMED raider who died when he was restrained by punters at a city bookies was held face down, an inquest heard.
Alan Levers, 50, from Honicknowle, was wearing a gas mask when he went into the Ladbrokes branch on Crownhill Road, Plymouth, shortly before 7pm last Friday.
An inquest into his death was opened yesterday, at which it was heard a post-mortem examination had yet to establish a cause of death.
Speaking at the hearing, police inspector Steve Brownlow said the unemployed man was carrying an imitation pistol as he attempted to raid the shop.
He added: "He (Levers) was restrained and disarmed by three members of the public.
"He was held face down on the floor."
He said police officers later handcuffed and arrested Levers while he was on the floor, but noticed he was not moving.
"They (police) removed the mask and commenced CPR," Mr Brownlow said.
"Paramedics attended but he was pronounced dead at the scene."
The time of death was confirmed at 7.37pm and Levers' body was identified the following day by his girlfriend.
Coroner Ian Arrow adjourned the hearing for a later date.
Police praised "brave" members of the public after the incident, saying those who restrained Levers would not have known if the gun was a fake.
The incident had been voluntarily referred to the police watchdog, the Independent Police Complaints Commission, as officers from Devon and Cornwall Police had arrested Levers at the scene before his death was confirmed.
But a statement on the force website later read: "The IPCC has contacted Devon and Cornwall Police to say that having made an assessment, this matter should be subject to a local investigation."
A police spokesman confirmed this ended the IPCC's involvement, and that Devon and Cornwall Police's investigation into the circumstances of the incident would continue as normal.
Levers' family later apologised for the armed raider's actions in an article in The Herald.
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by daznkel
Sunday, February 03 2013, 12:17AM
“@curlypeeps. In a situation where, as far as you knew, your life was being threatened, may I ask what you would do? Do Something or face the possibility of death? I know what my response would be, I would rather die trying!”
by jabbathebutt
Friday, February 01 2013, 10:01PM
“@fothermucking .. you got it spot on .”
by stinker2008
Friday, February 01 2013, 9:21PM
“he paided the price for being stupid ,”
by Fothermucking
Friday, February 01 2013, 7:45PM
“When was the last time this rag used a spot of Journalistic integrity to expose corruption in Local Government or Business? Tired of reading drip drip constant Daily Mail agenda (yes, that is who owns your local paper), which is to turn the working classes on each other. I have never lived anywhere with a working class so quick to turn on each other. You make it so easy for them…… Why do you not have an airport? Why can you not comment on stories about the airport? You have pothole pete though eh?.
A Banker, a Daily Mail Reader, a benefit claimant and an asylum seeker sit at a table.
There are 12 biscuits on a plate. The Banker wolfs down 11 of the biscuits, then says to the Mail / Herald reader ' Oooh, I'd keep an eye on those two, they seem to want your biscuit'.....
That, in essence, sums up this 'newspaper', and particularly its forum. Absolute sheep. Too busy calling each other scum and calling dead kids names to notice that your pension pots are being raided, your NHS is being privatised….and it is not a benefit claimant from Swilley doing it! But hey, whilst you are hating him, you are not protesting, eh? Brilliant.”
by curlypeeps
Friday, February 01 2013, 6:47PM
“This probably will not be a popular post but I think a full inquiry should be held and all the people who were in the bookies interviewed as to their involvement in this incident. a man has died in violent circumstances and just because he was a career criminal he should not have been held down and suffocated by over zealous 'have a go heroes ' . cause of death should be interesting.”
by Laid_Back
Friday, February 01 2013, 4:16PM
“Case of beer for the punters.”
by BettyD
Friday, February 01 2013, 2:44PM
“@ techno.......the man was already dead when the police got there, the have a go heroes obviously got off him when police arrived and they then proceeded to arrest him whilst he was still on the floor, it was only then that people realised he was a gonna........you can't arrest a dead man. The ipcc were right not to have any more involvement in this case.
The police or those who intervened cannot be apportioned blame in any way shape or form, the only person to blame is Levers. Leave all the blame at his door and walk away.”
by concernedply
Friday, February 01 2013, 1:09PM
“still very sad ,he was clearly not a well man ,i hope now he is at peace ,love to all of his family x”
by theparcel
Friday, February 01 2013, 1:03PM
“Levers' family later apologised for the armed raider's actions in an article in The Herald.
Thats a first!
It usually the victim being sued by the robber for infringing their "uman rites"!”
by technomanic
Friday, February 01 2013, 12:31PM
“Indeed a very sad situation. Many right minded people, might perhaps wonder about the deceased mans mental state and his ability to be responsible for his own actions. Wearing a Gas mask was probably not the brightest of ideas. Using an imitation weapon in this way, would naturally make any menber of public feel they were in danger.The people who allegedly restrained the man, did what any responsible and public spirited individuals would do. They should not feel in any way that their courageous actions may have had a bearing on the mans unfortunate demise.
Having said that, the man did apparently die when being involved with police action. For the IPCC to pass an investigation back to D&C police to investigate themselves only reiterates many people's belief that the IPCC is not fit for purpose. In order to convey complete trust, the IPCC should have investigated this matter fully and not handed this back to police officers to investigate themselves.
It is quite obvious that police in attendance did all they could in dealing with a matter brought about by an individual allegedly attempting to comit a crime. It should still be investigated fully by a true independent body to report on the circumstances and make that Publically available for the benefit of officers concerned, the public involved and the mans family. The IPCC by not investigating only demonstrates that this organisation is a quango and unable deal with its remit. If the IPCC cannot be bothered to investigate fully a death, what chance do other members of the public have in bringing concerns regarding any perceived problem involving the police to justice when errors of judgement occur. The police should never ever be allowed to investigate themselves. To do so, seriously undermines the impartiality of the police and their accountability to the public who pay their salaries.”