Police arrested a suspected burglar after stopping him on a bicycle having been assisted by a member of the public.
Officers were called after a student property along Lenton Boulevard was targeted shortly before 5pm on Tuesday (16 September).
A member of the public challenged the suspected burglar and was reportedly threatened by him.
The suspect fled on a bicycle and was followed by the member of the public, who was also on a bicycle and provided updates to control room operators as to their whereabouts.
Minutes later, officers arrived and arrested the suspect after stopping him in Triumph Road, Lenton.
The suspect had several large bags strapped to his body containing a number of items alleged to be stolen, including a wallet, Emporio Armani watch, an Xbox, clothing and alcohol.
The bicycle he’d been riding was also reported to be stolen.
Mark Ellis, of no fixed address, has been charged with burglary and using threatening / abusive / insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause fear of unlawful violence.
The 43-year-old is due to appear at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court today (18 September).
Detective Sergeant Alana Scott, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:
“We would like to thank the member of the public who assisted officers with this arrest.
“By acting so courageously, they enabled response officers to place the man into handcuffs a short time after the burglary took place.
“Burglary is an extremely upsetting and invasive crime and that is why we will always respond immediately to reports such as this.
“With university Freshers weeks coming up, we will continue to offer crime prevention advice to Nottingham’s student population as burglars are known to target shared houses because they believe there will be more to steal.”
Key advice for students includes securing doors and windows, keeping valuables out of sight, using timer switches when away, marking and registering property online, and ensuring bikes are locked securely with a D-lock.
• Transformation of former M&S building progress ‘outstanding’
