A van driver tucking into a pastry on Sunday (16 June) bit off more than he could chew when he was stopped by armed police officers. The armed officers were on a routine patrol in Bulwell when they spotted the van. A check on the police computer revealed that the vehicle was linked to a burglary that took place in Hucknall the day before (Saturday 15 June).
The officers caught up with the van in Broxtowe Lane, Aspley, where it was parked up, with the driver eating a pastry.
After being arrested on suspicion of the Hucknall burglary, officers conducted a breath test which showed he was driving under the influence of alcohol. In a search of the driver’s van, officers discovered a lock knife and quantities of cannabis and cash, which they seized.
The 44 year old suspect, from Carlton, will appear before Nottingham Magistrates on 2 July, charged with being in possession of a bladed article, driving under the influence and possession of cannabis.
Enquiries into the Hucknall burglary, in which a television and PlayStation were stolen, are continuing.
“This provided a great example of exactly why it’s so important for our officers to carry out proactive patrols in the community”, Police Sgt Matthew Reddington said. “By being out in the squad car, they were able to look up a suspect’s vehicle on the system after it grabbed their attention, and quickly saw it had suspected links to an outstanding burglary.
“When the van in question was then tracked down minutes later, the team arrested the driver on suspicion of burglary, as well as a range of other offences.
“One of these was for possessing a knife in public, which we were able to take off the streets as a result, so this proved to be a really good job all-round.”
