Resident praised after suspected car thief arrested in Sunderland

Officers were called to the Thornhill Terrace area of the city following reports that a man had broken into a number of parked cars in the area before making off on foot.

A member of the public went to investigate after hearing a car alarm go off nearby, and spotted a man who was acting suspiciously.

She then notified Northumbria Police and watched the suspect’s movements until officers arrived.

A 24-year-old man was arrested and has since been charged with five counts of theft from a motor vehicle and possession of a bladed article.

He will appear at Newcastle Crown Court in due course, after making an appearance at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on Monday, March 23.

The incident happened shortly before 7am on Saturday, March 21.

Inspector Jamie Southwell has now thanked the resident who contacted the force, and says his officers will continue to fight against car-related crime.

He said: “This was a great example of the public being our eyes and ears by spotting something that did not seem right and alerting us to it.

“After receiving timely and accurate information from the woman, we were able to deploy officers to the area and identify a man who matched the description given to us by the caller.

“We went on to learn as part of our inquiries that a number of parked vehicles had been targeted in the Thornhill Terrace area on the morning in question, with a number of items stolen from inside the various vehicles.

“An investigation was subsequently launched and we have now charged a man in connection with five car-related offences. He will now appear before the courts in the coming months.

“The resident who contacted us deserves a lot of credit for acting so decisively, and our message is simple – this type of criminality will not be tolerated, and we will take robust action against anybody who flouts the law and commits car-related crime.”