Police dog finds car theft suspect hiding in garden

A suspect wanted after the pursuit of a stolen car was found hiding behind a fence by a police dog.

The vehicle was reported stolen overnight from an address in Brandish Crescent, Clifton, Nottingham, at around 7.10am on Wednesday (19 July).

The car keys had been taken from inside another vehicle which was broken into while parked at the same address.

Officers on patrol in Clifton had been alerted to the theft and spotted the stolen car being driven along Clifton Lane at around 11.25am.

It failed to stop when officers activated their blue light and was driven at speed along residential roads through Clifton.

The car was then found abandoned a short time later in Whinfell Close, Clifton, and Police Dog Mack was used to trace its occupants.

PD Mack and his handler began a foot pursuit along several streets before they found a suspect who emerged from a front garden in nearby Cressy Road.

A 27-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle, failing to stop for an officer, dangerous driving and driving without a licence or insurance. 

Inspector Iain Blackstock, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This was a great example of our teams working together to quickly track down a stolen car and detain a suspect.

“Thanks to the driving skills demonstrated by our pursuing officers, nobody sustained any injuries during this pursuit.

“PD Mack and his handler have then shown great determination to trace a suspect.

“We work hard as a force to recover stolen cars and investigate vehicle crime as we know it can have a hugely detrimental impact on people who rely on their cars to get about and to get to work.

“This is still an ongoing investigation, so we’d ask anyone who has any information to contact the police on 101, quoting incident 99 of 19 July 2023, or report it anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”