A SHELDON man has been arrested at Birmingham Airport in connection with the murder of a man who died after an industrial firework was ignited in his home.
Police arrested two more people yesterday (Sunday, November 19), including the Sheldon 21-year-old at the airport at 4.15pm, shortly after he arrived on a flight.
The other was an 18-year-old woman, arrested from an address in Ward End yesterday following a 9am police raid.
Anthony Nicholls, aged 56, died in hospital after the firework – understood to have been lit by a group of men who burst into his Birchtrees Drive, Tile Cross home on November 2 – sparked a huge blaze.
The pair was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder and have both since been bailed until next month, with strict conditions, while enquiries progress.
It follows the arrests of two other murder suspects last week – men aged 29 and 22 from Lea Hall and Stechford respectively.
They have also been bailed as officers continue to probe the circumstances surrounding Mr Nicholls’ death.
Detective inspector Paul Joyce, from West Midlands Police’s homicide team, said: “This is a challenging investigation but we are making good progress: four people have now been arrested and we have lots of encouraging lines of enquiry.
“The local community have been supportive of our investigation and I would like to thank them for their cooperation. We strongly believe the answer to solving this case lies in the community and we’d like to hear from anyone with information who has not come forward.”
The independent charity Crimestoppers has put up a reward of up to £10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the killers.
Information passed to Crimestoppers is always strictly anonymous. Call 0800 555 111 or use their anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
The reward of up to £10,000 only applies to information given to Crimestoppers. Information given directly to the police does not qualify.
