A man from Hove has been charged with aggravated burglary and having an axe as a weapon, Sussex Police said today (Wednesday 22 December).
The force said: “Police have charged a man in connection with a burglary in Portslade in which intruders broke into a house and threatened the occupants.
“Zak Marsden, 32, of Roman Road, in Hove, was arrested in Lewes on Sunday (19 December) by officers from Sussex Police’s Specialist Enforcement Unit.
“A warrant had been issued for Marsden’s arrest following reports of an aggravated burglary at a house in Stonery Close, Portslade, during the early hours of Wednesday 17 November.
“Police responded to reports of three masked men breaking into an address at around 1.25am, threatening the occupants with weapons and demanding money and jewellery.
“Investigating officers identified Marsden as a suspect and, after locating his vehicle at a Lewes petrol station, arrested him on suspicion of aggravated burglary and possession of an offensive weapon.
“After a search of the vehicle uncovered an axe, Marsden was further arrested on another count of possessing an offensive weapon.
“He was charged with all three offences and appeared at Crawley Magistrates’ Court on Monday (20 December) where he was remanded in custody pending a further court date.”
Detective Chief Inspector Cath O’Connor said: “Detectives launched a full investigation after this incident, which must have been extremely frightening for the victims, was reported.
“We swiftly identified a suspect and, alongside our colleagues in the Specialist Enforcement Unit, managed to make an arrest and bring charges.
“Violent crimes such as these will absolutely not be tolerated and we will continue to work tirelessly to bring perpetrators to justice.”
