Falmouth cyclist murder suspect may be hiding out in Berkshire: UPDATE

Thames Valley Police are trying to find Kevin Cooper, 33, from Redruth, and officers believe he could be in the Newbury area.

UPDATE: The last believed sighting of Kevin Cooper was in the Mutley Plain area of Plymouth during the early hours of Tuesday, January 28. Officers are conducting active enquires in Plymouth in an attempt to locate and arrest him.

Police have launched a murder investigation into the death of Falmouth cyclist David Alderson and issued an appeal in tracing a possible suspect.

Mr Alderson’s body was found by a female dog walker at disused mine workings near Carharrack, at 9am on Saturday, January 18.

He had suffered “significant” head injuries, although forensic teams are still working to ascertain the cause of his death.

This afternoon police have revealed they are treating his death as suspicious and have issued an appeal to trace 33-year-old Kevin Cooper from the Redruth area, who police want to speak to in connection with the death.

He was reported missing by his family in the days following Mr Alderson’s death.

Members of the public have been warned not to approach Mr Cooper but to call 999 or the incident room on 0800 056 0154, ref 331 of 22 January 2014. Alternatively call Crimestoppers annonymously on 0800 555111.

He is described as being 6ft 3in tall and having brown hair, with a receding hairline, and blue eyes.

He has a tattoo of a rose on the right side of his neck, with the word ‘Nan’.

Superintendent Jim Pearce said: “I want to reassure the public that while we are not advising people to approach Mr Cooper, we have no reason to believe there is any threat to the public in general.”

He added that police patrols had been increased in the area.

Superintendent Pearce revealed that Mr Cooper, who was previously known to police, had criminal associates and appealed for them to come forward with information.

“These criminal associates would probably not speak to us or engage with us. However we’re dealing with the murder of a 72-year-old man and in these circumstances we would ask these associates to come forward and give information as to his whereabouts,” he added.

Police also want to trace the last movements of Mr Alderson and are keen to speak to anybody who saw him.

Police believe Mr Alderson left his home in Old Hill in a red Ford Fiesta, with the registration RV51 MZZ, on the evening of his death, when he was spotted driving with Mr Cooper as passenger.

The car was found following Mr Alderson’s death in North Parade, Falmouth, not far from his home.

Mr Cooper has been seen in the Truro area, Falmouth area and St Austell area on Tuesday and Wednesday last week. It is believed he was last seen in the Plymouth area yesterday.

Initial police investigations revolved around looking for what they believed was a missing bicycle, as Mr Alderson was found wearing specialist cycling shoes.

However, this has since been described as a “red herring.”

His body was found lying in a shallow pool, close to the main cycling area that is popular with cyclists and dog walkers.

Police say that the theft of cash is a possible motive, but stress that they are keeping an open mind.

Read the previous article here

David Alderson is believed to have been murdered. 

Mr Alderson was seen in this car the night before his body was found.