Two burglars have been jailed after they were spotted by police crawling through the smashed door of a pharmacy.
Officers on a routine patrol in Mansfield in the early hours of Saturday (2 November) heard a security alarm as they passed along Rosemary Street.
When they investigated more closely, the response team spotted a glass panel missing from the front door of the pharmacy.
Intruders were observed crawling through the damaged door as they attempted to escape.
Officers gave chase and caught up with Dean Graves, aged 51, who was arrested on suspicion of burglary.
They also found a hammer on the pavement outside and recovered medication that had been stolen. Cash from the till and a charity box were also taken during the raid.
Officers studied CCTV and identified Jamie Harris as another offender. They attended an address in Beck Crescent and arrested the 35-year-old after he was discovered hiding in the loft.
Graves, of Welbeck Street, Mansfield, and Harris, of Mansfield, were charged with burglary.
They both admitted the offence and were jailed for six months after appearing at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Monday (4 November).
Detective Sergeant Ben Skellern, of Nottinghamshire Police’s county burglary team, said:
“The officers on duty that night were in the right place at the right time to interrupt this burglary and catch the offenders red-handed.
“It shows once again the value of nighttime patrols, and the officers should be commended for their alertness and determination.
“Detectives on my team have then worked quickly and efficiently to secure these charges against both men.
“Commercial break-ins are investigated thoroughly because we understand the emotional and financial impact they can have on victims.
“No one deserves to come into work and have to clear up after a break-in.”
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