A MAN from Alvechurch has been released under investigation in connection to an ‘Aladdin’s Cave’ of stolen trade and plant equipment, which is valued at more than £100,000.

Officers found the stash of tools and electrical items inside a shipping container at a storage facility in Curzon Street, Digbeth, on November 21.

It led West Midlands Police to the arrest of 13 people, all of whom are suspected of being part of a burglary, vehicle theft and money laundering ring.

A 30-year-old man from Alvechurch was interviewed in relation to conspiracy to commit theft in January, and has now been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

All those arrested have been released under investigation.

Enquiries have linked some of the stolen goods to thefts across the Midlands - with one offence dating back to 2014 - plus others in Sheffield, Nottinghamshire, West Mercia and Uxbridge.

Most of the items - including specialist equipment such as laser levels, flue gas analysers, radiation detectors and pneumatic drills - remain unclaimed.

Detective Constable Sarah Harvey from Solihull police’s investigation team, said: “This is a regional investigation into a complex criminal conspiracy operating from Acocks Green.

“We believe there may be in excess of 20 people involved.

“We’ve executed several warrants, made arrests and have recovered other stolen property plus a device we suspect was being used to make cloned number plates.

“We believe most of the items we’ve found in the shopping container will have been stolen from professional tradespeople - taken from vans or commercial premises.”