Sunderland neighbours detain wanted fugitive after stolen car smashes into garden fence

Police have praised neighbours in Sunderland for helping detain a wanted fugitive after a stolen car was smashed into a garden fence.
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Officers were called to the Fordham Road area of Sunderland just before 10pm yesterday (Monday, July 19) after a dark-coloured Jeep ploughed into lamppost and front garden.

The driver got out of the £15,000 car and is alleged to have tried to leave the scene, but neighbours had heard the commotion and poured out into the street.

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While waiting for police, the residents detained the suspect to stop him from making off – which resulted in the man assaulting one of the neighbours by violently stamping on his foot.

Neighbours in Sunderland detained a man after a car smashed into a garden fence.Neighbours in Sunderland detained a man after a car smashed into a garden fence.
Neighbours in Sunderland detained a man after a car smashed into a garden fence.

Officers arrested a 51-year-old man after the crumpled vehicle had been stolen earlier that night.

The suspect – who was marked as wanted in connection with two other burglaries – was then taken into police custody for questioning.

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Detective Sergeant Chris Raper-Smith, who spearheads Northumbria Police’s Southern Burglary Team, said: “The neighbours were absolutely amazing and were a huge help to officers.

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“After hearing the loud bang outside their home as the Jeep hit the lamppost and fence, they were quickly on the scene to check the driver was OK.

“While we would never actively encourage people to put themselves in harm’s way, all those involved deserve huge credit for working together and keeping the suspect at the scene.

“I would like to thank everybody for their help, and by working together, we will continue to take swift and robust action against those who bring misery to our communities.”

The man arrested remains in police custody at this time as an investigation is ongoing.

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