Newark officers use local knowledge to intercept 4x4 theft suspect

Fast-acting Newark officers caught up with a suspect within minutes of a call coming in about a car theft in progress.

Police made their way straight to Newark Northgate station after hearing thieves were trying to get into a parked Range Rover.

The 4x4 was found with a smashed window when officers arrived, shortly after 10.20pm on 5 February, although whoever was involved was unable to gain access.

Armed with a witness’ description of the suspect and the knowledge they’d fled in the direction of a footpath known locally as ‘the Sustrans’, response officers made their way there.

Shortly after arriving at the track, police noticed someone matching this description and approached the individual – at which point they were seen to discard numerous items.

A glass hammer, a device used to access vehicles without a key, a pair of gloves and a face-covering were all subsequently recovered from the person they’d stopped and the surrounding area.

Believing the individual – a 35-year-old man – had been involved in the break-in they’d been called about, officers arrested him on suspicion of attempted theft of a vehicle and going equipped for theft.

PC Tom Mead, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“Vehicle theft is an issue our Newark teams take very seriously, and we will always follow a zero-tolerance approach against anyone believed to be involved in this illicit practice.

“That’s because we are thoroughly aware of the emotional distress having your vehicle broken into or stolen can cause to victims, who are at the heart of everything we do.

“This incident shows how important it is to have a team of proactive and dedicated officers, who also know the area and any potential escape routes well.

“Within minutes of this call coming in, we were on the scene and immediately made the most of the information available to us to head straight to the Sustrans to intercept someone we believed was involved.

“This proved itself to be a really good job that brought a positive result for the victim, so we’re very pleased as a response team.”