
Three men were arrested in the early hours of Monday morning over a series of armed shop raids in which staff were threatened with an axe.
Police were alerted to two attempted robberies in less than an hour on Sunday in Sutton Coldfield.
On both occasions staff were grabbed by a man and threatened with a hand axe before fleeing empty handed; no-one was injured during the attacks.
A West Midlands Police Armed Response Vehicle patrolling in the Northfield area just after 1am spotted the suspected Ford KA getaway car in Fourlands Road.
The car was intercepted and men aged 23, 26 and 37, were arrested at the scene on suspicion of robbery.
West Midlands Police Detective Sergeant Phil Poole, said: “Thankfully no-one was injured in the attacks but staff members were understandably shaken up at being threatened with a weapon. All three men are currently being held in police custody for questioning.”
Anyone who witnessed the robberies, or has any information on who may be responsible, should contact Stechford police station via 101.