In a dramatic pursuit in Doncaster, a suspected thief's frantic attempt to evade capture came to a humiliating end when he became stuck on the roof of a garden shed, all while being watched from above by a police helicopter.
The Chase From Sky and Ground
The incident began when a 31-year-old man failed to stop for police officers. In a desperate bid to lose his pursuers from South Yorkshire Police, he took to hopping between residential gardens, unaware that a National Police Air Service (NPAS) aircraft was monitoring his every move from the sky.
Footage from the helicopter shows the moment the suspect, believing he was hidden, ducked inside a wooden shed. His cover was blown when the aerial crew spotted him. Realising he had been seen, the man made a last-ditch effort, clambering onto the shed's roof in a futile attempt to avoid arrest.
Arrests and Charges
Officers on the ground quickly moved in to bring the man down from his precarious perch. He was promptly arrested on suspicion of numerous offences, including two counts of theft of a motor vehicle, possession of a knife or bladed article, and recall to prison.
A second man, aged 20, who also attempted to flee the scene, was arrested. He faces allegations of taking a vehicle without the owner's consent, dangerous driving, driving without insurance, failing to stop, and drug possession offences.
Stolen Vehicles Recovered
Following a search of the area, police discovered two stolen vehicles nearby. Both were successfully returned to their rightful owners, providing a positive outcome from the chaotic scene.
PC Gabi Marriott, who arrested the 31-year-old suspect, praised the coordinated operation. "This was an excellent bit of teamwork with eyes on the ground and in the sky working in tandem to track a wanted man and ensure he was apprehended," she said.
"Despite his best efforts to evade capture, he was never out of sight thanks to the NPAS aircraft and it's a fantastic resource we can call on when needed. To locate two stolen vehicles and return them to their owners is also incredibly satisfying."
PC Marriott added a warning to criminals and advice for the public: "We know vehicle crime and the theft of vehicles has a huge impact on people's livelihoods and creates fear and uncertainty in local communities. We will continue to hunt down those involved in this criminality and I would urge people to make themselves aware of simple steps they can follow to ensure thieves don't prosper and can't access your vehicles."
