Suspected shoplifter arrested with public’s help

Photo: Google, Digital Globe

Officers were conducting retail crime patrols along Whitworth Road when they observed a man being pursued

Quick action by Rochdale North Neighbourhood officers, combined with the assistance of a vigilant member of the public, led to the arrest of a man suspected of theft on Monday afternoon, 30 December.

Officers were conducting retail crime patrols along Whitworth Road when they observed a man being pursued by a Dunelm security guard.

The officers immediately joined the chase, which led onto Haynes Street, where the suspect briefly disappeared from sight.

A passing motorist, noticing the commotion, turned their car around to alert the officers that the man had scaled a wall into Richmond Hall and was hiding.

Acting on this tip, officers located the suspect in the Richmond Hall car park. Upon his arrest, they discovered items worth over £200 in suspected stolen property.

Subsequent checks revealed that the man was also wanted in connection with a separate theft at B&Q in Ashton, where goods valued at approximately £1,300 had allegedly been stolen.

He was charged with both offences and appeared before Manchester Magistrates' Court on Tuesday 31 December.

Sgt Walsh of Rochdale North Neighbourhood Team emphasised the impact of retail crime on local businesses and communities, saying: "Retail crime is one of the priorities your local neighbourhood teams deal with, and we will always try to take positive action when offenders are identified.

"It is not a victimless crime; thefts push prices up for genuine customers. Staff often face abuse and even assaults from these individuals, and the money is often used to buy drugs, feeding organised crime groups."

"We would like to thank the public-spirited individual in the car who assisted officers in locating the male. It undoubtedly ensured we were able to detain and arrest him swiftly."