Officer uses vandal’s own bike to catch suspect

A SUSPECTED vandal being tailed by police made a big mistake when he dumped his bicycle – because a brave bobby simply jumped on and arrested the fleeing fugitive by pedal power.

The suspect dumped the pushbike after being spotted by police while smashing a store front. He attempted to flee the scene on foot, but didn’t count on the policeman jumping on the discarded bike and chasing him down. Footage captured on the intrepid police officer’s headcam showed him speeding past traffic on the bike.

He eventually apprehended the suspect.

The incident is understood to have happened in the east Birmingham area on Saturday, and the footage was posted on Birmingham East Response’s Twitter page.

They wrote: “Here at Birmingham East response, we love commandeering vehicles. Imagine being a crook, halfway through a crime, and seeing a police car.

“You drop your bike and run away, only to see a cop chasing you down on your own pushbike. One in custody for smashing a store front up.”

The post prompted other officers to tell similar stories.

West Midlands Police Camera Enforcement Unit commented: “This has made my day. I remember doing this once, chasing a motorbike thief/drug dealer.

“We both crashed our bikes and I jumped in a passer-by’s car. Those who know me know I am not built for running.

“His face was a picture! Member of the public got an award, too!”