Watch as South Shields 'steak' thief is nabbed by police on borrowed teenager's bike
Watch as police officer chases South Shields 'steak' thief Phillip Padgett after asking youth for his bike.
A prolific South Shields shoplifter is behind bars after he was arrested by police on a borrowed teenager’s bike.
Earlier this month, officers received reports of a man acting aggressively at a supermarket on Stanhope Road, South Shields.
In response, Northumbria Police officers were deployed to track the man who’d ran off from the store carrying several packets of steak.
Police officer borrows kid’s bike to chase thief
After giving chase on foot, the pursuing firearms officer had 32-year-old Phillip Padgett firmly in his sights.
To catch up with him, he kindly borrowed an onlooking teen’s bike – allowing him to swiftly catch up with Padgett, who had since dropped his spoils into a bush in an attempt to evade arrest.
Just minutes later, Padgett was in handcuffs and the boy’s bike was returned safely to him, much to the gratitude of the arresting officer.
Later that day, Padgett, of no fixed abode, was charged in connection with more than 30 reports of shoplifting.
Guilty plea to almost £6k in thefts
And the next morning (Monday, June 8), Padgett pleaded guilty at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court to the thefts with a total value of almost £6,000.
He was sentenced to 40 weeks’ imprisonment.
Speaking after the arrest and sentencing, Inspector of the local Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT), David Heron, of Northumbria Police, said: “This is a fantastic example of the swift and effective justice which can be delivered when everyone works together.
“I’d like to thank all three teams who were deployed to this incident – including response and firearms officers – and of course my Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) who were there at the scene and then were able to secure charges on Padgett.
Thanks to teenage boy who offered officer his bike
“Of course, a massive thank you and shout out is deserved for the teenage boy who allowed our officer to use his bike, so we were able to make this arrest meaning a prolific criminal is now behind bars.”
Insp Heron continued: “We hope this demonstrates that we take reports of those causing disruption in our communities very seriously and we’ll deploy the appropriate resources to get the results we want, and you deserve.
“We’re keen to work with local residents and businesses to ensure South Tyneside continues to be a safe place to live, work and visit.
“Let us know what’s happening and we’ll take action.”
Contact details for Northumbria Police - how to make a report
Anyone who wishes to make a report to Northumbria Police is asked to visit the ‘Report’ pages of the website, Live Chat on the website, or by sending the Force a direct message on social media.
For those unable to contact police this way, call 101.
In an emergency, always call 999.