This is the moment a thief led police on a Hot Fuzz-style chase over garden fences in an attempt to evade arrest. Sean McFetridge, 43, fled from Kent Police after officers arrived at an address in Maidstone to arrest him in relation to a phone theft earlier this month.
McFetridge, of Yalding in Kent, jumped from a first-floor window and into the back garden before hopping over fences – much like the criminal in the 2007 comedy Hot Fuzz. Officers followed McFetridge until eventually arresting him in a different house after he was restrained by a member of the public.
While being interviewed, officers were also able to trace McFetridge to a theft of meat from a shop in Loose Road the previous day. McFetridge was charged with two counts of theft and criminal damage. He appeared at Medway Magistrates' Court on 18 April where he pleaded guilty and was immediately sentenced to eight weeks' imprisonment.
Acting Chief Inspector Zara McAinley for Maidstone described McFetridge as a 'prolific offender' who became 'brazen with his crimes'. She said: 'Our officers are dedicated to catching criminals and keeping members of the public safe, and this arrest shows just how committed they are. Instead of co-operating with officers, he decided to jump out of a window and over fences to try and evade arrest, while also causing distress to the occupants of the home he entered. Yet officers didn't hesitate to pursue him and he was caught in less than two minutes, following their quick-thinking and solid teamwork. Everyday officers go above and beyond in the line of duty and I am very proud of them all.'
