A Brighton policeman’s quick thinking prevented the theft of hundreds of pounds worth of diesel from a building site.
At 9.45pm on 16 October dog handler PC Thomas Mills was on patrol in the Withdean area of Brighton with his dog Maddock when he was contacted with a report of men acting suspiciously in Withdean Close.
As he approached Withdean Close in his patrol car he saw a vehicle trying to drive out of a fenced-off building site so blocked it in.
When other officers arrived they searched the vehicle and found tools, radios and workboots along with containers of diesel, worth a total of £1800.
Three men were arrested on suspicion of burglary.
Inspector Di Lewis, the head of Sussex Police’s dogs unit, said: “PC Mills not only blocked in the car and stopped it being driven away, he also made inquiries and confirmed that the items in the back of the car had been stolen from the building site.
“Our dog units are not just used for searching for suspects or sniffing out clues – they are on duty around the clock each day responding to all kinds of emergencies.”
A 25-year-old man from Brighton was released without charge.
Robert Rees, 32, of Chailey Road, Brighton, was charged with burglary. He appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court where he pleaded guilty to burglary and was given a six-month suspended prison sentence. He was also ordered to do 40 hours of community service.
Ben Nicholls, 33, of Brighton Road, Lancing, has been charged with burglary. He was released on bail and is due to appear at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on 17 December.
Anyone with information about the incident should email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk quoting serial 1634 of 16/10 or call 101.
