Man arrested for GBH and harrassment after trying to steal TV from Havant supermarket
The man was a suspect for a series of other offences, according to police.
Police have arrested a man wanted on suspicion of harassment and grievous bodily harm - after spotting him running out of a supermarket.
A 21-year-old man was caught red-handed leaving the car park of ASDA in Purbrook Way, Havant, with a TV under his arms. A brief police chase followed, before he was apprehended.
Officers then realised it was the same man they had as a suspect for multiple other offences.
Posting on Havant Police’s Facebook page, PC Frost said: “I just want to give a big cheers to the gent in the Red Toyota Yaris who flagged me down in Middle Park Way to say that there was somebody in a grey tracksuit who was acting suspiciously in the Adsa car park, Havant.
“We arrived there just in time to witness said male running across the car park brandishing a flat screen TV that he had just stolen from the shop. After a quick chase through the drive-thru and a nearby gym, he was detained and arrested.
“Turned out that he was the same guy that I had been tasked to find earlier in the day, who was an outstanding suspect for a robbery and an attempted GBH assault. Both serious violent crimes.”
Chief Inspector Matt Moss, district commander for Havant and East Hampshire, added: “PC Frost is somewhat underselling himself here - up and over fences, around cars, through the drive through and the gym as you mentioned, and got him despite the age difference and head start given.
“I would also like to add my thanks to the member of the public for the help given, as well as all of the support we have had this week for the hard work my officers are putting in. The support of the community we serve is vital.
Details will follow but this week alone we are going to be well over 50 charges for shoplifting alone across various offenders.”
A spokesman from the police force’s press office confirmed that a 21-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of shoplifting, attempting to cause grievous bodily harm, possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, and harassment. He remains in police custody.