‘I caught him!’ Dramatic moment police officer commandeers an onlooker’s bike and uses it to chase a drug dealer through a park before safely returning it to its owner
Published: 12:01, 5 December 2023 | Updated: 14:29, 5 December 2023
This the dramatic moment a police officer commandeered an onlooker’s bike to chase a drug dealer through a park.
The extraordinary events were captured on the officer’s body-worn camera after he responded to reports of a possible drug deal taking place near Commercial Street in Northampton town centre.
When PC Lewis Marks and another officer arrived at the scene, the suspect Sean Prosser, 28, immediately fled on his bike.
However, PC Marks was one step ahead of him as he quickly drove to Beckets Park, where the drug dealer was heading.
Bodycam footage shows the moment the officer arrives at the park, spots Prosser, and, knowing that he’d be unable to catch him on foot, asks a member of the public to borrow his bike.
A frantic chase then ensues as PC Marks can be seen pursuing the drug dealer across the grass, ramming the bike in front of him and tackling him to the ground.
Following the adrenaline fuelled chase, the officer later returned the bike to its owner and shook his hand in gratitude as he admitted: ‘I wouldn’t have caught him without your help’.
Bodycam footage shows the moment the officer arrives at the park and asks a member of the public to borrow his bike to catch a suspected drug dealer
A frantic chase then ensued as PC Marks can be seen pursuing the drug dealer across the grass
He eventually catches up to the drug dealer (pictured left) throws his bike in his way and tackles him to the ground
The high octane chase took place on August 23 this year after a member of the public in Northampton town centre called police to report a possible drug deal taking place near Commercial Street at around 11:45am.
When the officers arrived at the scene Prosser soon made off on a bike, thinking that he would be able to evade the officers who were on foot.
However, PC Marks had a hunch that he was headed to Beckets Park, which, to his own avail, later turned out to be correct.
As he turned the car from Victoria Promenade into Beckets Park, a member of the public pointed him in the direction of Prosser who was cycling across the park towards Bedford Road.
PC Marks then asked another member of the public whether he could borrow his bike to which he agreed and handed it over to the officer.
PC Marks then cycled across the grass and intercepted Prosser opposite St John’s car park where he was tackled to the ground.
Prosser was found to be in possession of a large quantity of cash and phones with messages related to drugs supply on them.
A CT scan the next day also identified a plugged kinder egg toy case which contained wraps of heroin and crack cocaine.
Prosser (pictured) was sentenced to three years and eight months in prison following his arrest
Footage from a nearby building shows Prosser cycling along the street, without suspecting that PC Marks is speeding across the park to catch him
The PC then crosses the road before ramming the bike in front of him and tackling him to the ground
Following the adrenaline fuelled chase, the officer later returned the bike to its owner and shook his hand in gratitude as he admitted: ‘I wouldn’t have caught him without your help’
Prosser was charged with two counts of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, escaping from lawful custody, acquiring/using/possessing criminal property, being concerned in the supply of cocaine, and being concerned in the supply of heroin.
He admitted the offences at Northampton Crown Court and was sentenced to three years and eight months in prison.
Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Beth Warren said: ‘This incident was an example of good old fashioned policing where our officers and members of the public worked together to take down a man whose actions were a blight on the community.
‘The quick thinking of PC Marks ensured Prosser was arrested swiftly and I’d also like to take the opportunity to thank the member of the public who let us borrow his bike.’
Prosser, who is homeless[2], is today starting a jail term of three years and eight months following his arrest.
References
- ^ Dan Woodland (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ homeless (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Homelessness (www.dailymail.co.uk)