Gunmen fire shots at luxury mansion

Jul 26 2006 By Mark Cowan, Birmingham Mail

A FAMILY was in hiding today after gunmen targeted their Midland Millionaires' Row home in a drive-by shooting.

The windscreens of three cars were damaged as a volley of gunshots were fired at the luxury mansion in Little Aston, Sutton Coldfield.

Armed police were sent to the scene in Roman Road, near Little Aston Golf Course, but the gunmen had already sped off.

A Staffordshire Police spokesman said: "The family from that address have now been moved to a safe location while police conduct a forensic search and examination in the vicinity of the address."

Officers were today trying to determine a motive for the drive-by shooting, which has sent shockwaves along the exclusive rhododendron-lined road popular with wealthy company directors.

The private road, where houses cost at least £1 million, remained cordoned off today with three marked police cars stationed at the entrance closest to Sutton Park.

Police were alerted shortly before midnight by frantic calls from residents who heard the blasts from a gun outside their homes.

Armed officers were first on the scene and officers found bullet holes in the windows of three cars parked in the sweeping driveway leading up to the mansion.

Scenes of crime officers were today due to carry out a fingertip search of the area in the hunt for crucial clues.

The spokesman added: "Police are now conducting a thorough examination including establishing a motive for the incident."

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