A Surrey Police officer was given a lift by a passing van driver during a foot chase after a suspected shoplifter fled through Guildford on a bicycle.
PC Sperling had been pursuing the cyclist on Woking Road when the driver of a grey van pulled alongside and offered assistance. The officer climbed into the vehicle as they attempted to catch up with the suspect.
Working together, the pair managed to get ahead of the cyclist and identify where he had gone. PC Sperling then jumped out of the van and arrested him.
Surrey Police said officers had spotted someone suspected of stealing from a nearby shop before the suspect made off on a bicycle.
“Big thanks to the Good Samaritan who gave our officer a lift during a foot chase for a suspected shoplifter on Tuesday!” the force said in a social media post.
It added: “Working together, the van driver and officer were able to spot where the suspect had gone and get ahead of him, allowing PC Sperling to jump out and make the arrest. Teamwork makes the dream work.”
Footage shows the officer running after the cyclist before accepting the offer of help from the van driver. The vehicle then closes the gap, allowing the officer to continue the pursuit on foot.
