Driver tipped off police to ‘prolific criminal’

Detectives have praised a taxi driver who spotted a man trying to break into a shop and alerted police to his crimes.

Alan Clarke, 45, attempted to burgle the McColl’s store on ParkLane,Sunderland,whileit wasclosed–withCCTVcameras catching him outside, hacking at the door with a brick.

A taxi driver, parked nearby, contacted Northumbria Police after seeing what was going on. Officers were then deployedandtheybroughtthe suspect into custody.

Clarke, of no fixed abode, hasbeenconvictedofattemptedburglaryafteradmittingthe offence before magistrates in South Tyneside.

He was jailed for 10 weeks andorderedtopayavictimsurcharge of £122.

Detective Constable Alex Hadwin, of Northumbria Police’sSouthernBurglaryTeam, praisedthetaxidriverwho“did the right thing”.

He said: “Alan Clarke is a prolific offender who took the lawintohisownhandsinanattempt to get hold of anything he could.

“This type of behaviour is unacceptable, and especially at a time when the city is really pulling together as we tackle the spread of COVID-19, it’s vitally important that the public know we’re still working around the clock to detect and disrupt crime, identify offenders and bring burglars to justice.

“I would particularly like to thank the taxi driver who was working in the area and saw something was not quite right.

“It would have been very easy for him to ignore what he had seen and drive away – but by picking up the phone, he helped us put a selfish burglar behind bars.”

Det Con Hadwin added: “This case proves once again that the public can be our eyes and ears.”