Man charged with robbing seven shops and a bank in Birmingham & Solihull at knifepoint & with a gun

A man has been charged with seven armed robberies at shops and businesses in Birmingham and Solihull.

Kudakwashe Chowa is accused of robbing six premises in Birmingham and one in Solihull – over a period of nine months, from February to October this year.

It’s alleged Chowa held shop workers at knifepoint, and on one occasion used a gun to threaten staff at a bank in Acocks Green - stealing over £3,500 in cash.

Officers from West Midlands Police Birmingham East Robbery team worked alongside the force’s Forensics department, Operational Support Unit, Neighbourhood Policing Units and Firearms Unit on the investigation. The 29-year-old was tracked down and arrested on Friday (18 November).

Chowa, aged 29, of High Street, Erdington, has been charged with offences of robbery, threatening a person with a blade, and possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, and appeared at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on Saturday (19 November). He was remanded into custody and will appear at the city’s crown court at a future date.