TWO men arrested after a woman had her car stolen at gunpoint in Darlington yesterday are being linked to an armed incident in the town five days ago.

As the woman was eating a sandwich in her car, two men approached and one pulled out a handgun.

They ordered the terrified woman out of her Renault Megane, snatched the keys, and drove off.

The drama happened in Kendrew Street car park, off Gladstone Street, at about 1.30pm.

Police said last night they believe the same men were responsible for an armed incident near Morrisons' North Road store last week in which two security guards were allegedly threatened with a gun.

That followed an incident in Wakefield in which another car was said to have been stolen at gunpoint.

Detective Inspector Paul Harker, of Darlington CID, told The Northern Echo: "We have got to think that these two incidents are linked, it is a line of inquiry we are looking at."

Two men were arrested on suspicion of theft at about 4.30pm - three hours after yesterday's car-jack in Darlington - when the Megane was stopped by police near Yarm as it headed back towards Darlington.

A handgun was recovered outside the car near the scene.

The men, from the Middlesbrough area, were last night being questioned at Darlington and Newton Aycliffe police stations.

Det Insp Harker said: "We are working closely with officers from the Cleveland Police force in tracking down who we believe to be behind both incidents."

He said that the victim of the car-jacking was unhurt but was left "upset and distraught".

Workers and residents in Gladstone Street were shocked by the incident.

One man, who lives in adjoining Selbourne Terrace, said: "There were a lot of coppers around the car park and some police cars, but that's all I saw. I'm shocked to hear what happened."

Councillor Stephen Jones, who represents the North Road ward on Darlington Borough Council, said: "I hope it is not something that is going to continue in this area, but it does seem to be a rising trend across the country."

Det Insp Harker said that despite two armed incidents in Darlington in a week, there was no cause for panic.

"These are extremely rare and unusual offences for Darlington, and it tends to suggest it is people coming from outside who are behind it.

"It is very important to say that, while it is unusual in Darlington, anyone coming in and doing this kind of thing will get arrested."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0845 6060365 or Crimestoppers on 0845 555111.

l A man appeared in court yesterday charged with firearms and robbery offences.

William Craig Gatley, 28, of Laburnum Grove, Port Clarence, Stockton, is accused of possessing a firearm while committing a robbery in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, last Thursday, and also of attempted theft in Barnsley last Wednesday.

Leeds Magistrates' Court remanded Mr Gatley in custody until June 1 at Leeds Crown Court