Four people were arrested last night after a burglary in Hove during which car keys were stolen and a subsequent car chase.
Sussex Police said this afternoon (Monday 11 November): “Four people have been arrested after police pursued a stolen vehicle in Worthing.
“Around 11pm on Friday 8 November, a burglary was reported at a flat in St Catherine’s Terrace, Hove.
“Items including car keys were stolen, and the offenders returned the following day to steal the car – a grey Ford Focus.
“Using automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology, officers located the vehicle in Worthing town centre about 8.15pm on Sunday 10 November.
“It was pursued westbound to Pembroke Avenue, at which point it made off at speed, turning right into Gerald Road, left onto George V Avenue and left again into West Parade, heading eastbound.
“Police continued to follow the stolen car into Augusta Place, where it lost control and crashed into bollards. At this point, four people decamped from the car and ran towards the sea.
“The two officers gave chase on foot – one headed on to the beach while the other continued along the promenade – and three suspects were arrested just east of Worthing Pier.
“The fourth suspect returned to the crash scene a short time later – by this time further units were in attendance – and was also arrested.
“They all remain in police custody at this stage.
“A 16-year-old boy of no fixed address was arrested on suspicion of burglary, theft from a vehicle, aggravated vehicle taking, possession of a knife in public and receiving stolen goods.
“A 24-year-old from Merton was arrested on suspicion of burglary, possession of a knife in public, aggravated vehicle taking, theft by finding and handling stolen goods.
“A 16-year-old boy from Croydon was arrested on suspicion of burglary, failing to stop when required by police, possession of a Class A drug, possession of an offensive weapon in public, possession of a knife in public and robbery.
“And an 18-year-old man from Greenwich was arrested on suspicion of theft of a vehicle and theft by finding.”
Sergeant Vicki Rees, of the Roads Policing Unit, said: “This was excellent work from two of our officers who used their initiative to track and locate a stolen vehicle and pursue it in Worthing where it crashed and the suspects made off.
“They gave chase on foot, and all four suspects were swiftly detained and arrested a short time afterwards.
“The suspects remain in custody at this stage and our investigation is ongoing.”
