Flying tackle that f lattened runaway cashpoint crook
locked together in a tangle of limbs, a runaway thief and a brave passer-by come crashing down on to the pavement.
The thief was stopped in his tracks when the have-a-go hero slammed into him with a spectacular flying tackle. And, shortly after these dramatic photos were taken, he was led away by the police.
The mystery passer-by intervened amid cries of ‘Stop thief!’ after a woman claimed £170 was snatched from her at a cash machine.
other onlookers helped to pin the suspect down in the street in Manchester city centre until police arrived. officers later confirmed a 43year- old suspect was being questioned on suspicion of theft.
The unnamed woman is believed to have had her cash returned.
one bystander said: ‘I was just walking down the street when all hell suddenly broke loose. one guy was running full pelt whilst others were running behind him shouting: “Stop thief.” He was then rugby tackled to the ground and pinned down.
‘Some onlookers were going on about the guy’s human rights and calling for him to be let go but I’m guessing they didn’t know what was going on in the run up to it. He put up quite a struggle but he was no match for the others who grabbed him.
‘It was like a scene from a 1970s cop show. I’m guessing with all this stuff about Wild West Britain and shortages of police officers, it’s inevitable these citizen’s arrests are going to become more commonplace.’
Greater Manchester Police said: ‘Police were called to reports of a theft on Market Street. A man had taken money from a woman withdrawing cash and was detained by members of the public. A 43-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of theft and remains in custody.’