Reading: Pensioner Arrested Over Slashed Car Tyres

By Oliver Hall

A 70-year-old man has been quizzed by police over suspected tyres slashing after angry homeowners made a citizen’s arrest.

The elderly suspect had been apprehended by residents who were keeping a close eye on their streets after a spate of slashed car tyres during the past month.

Officers from the Staffordshire force then arrived at the scene in Sneyd Green to arrest the pensioner last week.

He has been released on police bail until October 27 pending further enquiries.

Local Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator Terence Andrews said there has been a spate of car tyres being slashed in the past month.

Mr Andrews, aged 50, said he had spotted a man slashing the tyres on a number of occasions.
So, on Wednesday morning, Mr Andrews decided to catch the suspect in the act.

The former self-employed HGV driver said: “I saw him walk past the house and up the road on to Buxton Street so I followed him keeping well behind him.

“I saw him stab the tyres of a Ford Ka and then he walked up to Hanley Road then back down Sneyd Street.

“When he turned into Granville Avenue I approached him and told him he was under citizen’s arrest.

“He asked ‘what for?’ and I said ‘criminal damage to cars in Buxton Street’.

“He started to walk off, but I put my hands up and told him again that he was under arrest.

“Then the police arrived and took him to the station.”

This entry was posted on Monday, August 31st, 2009 at 5:01 am and is filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.