Pool landing for policeman in Brighton burglary chase (From The Argus)
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Pool landing for policeman in Brighton burglary chase
11:40am Tuesday 19th March 2013 in News By Anna Roberts, Crime reporter
A police officer was pushed into a swimming pool while apprehending a suspected burglar at a £1.5m home.
The Sussex Police officer, who has not been named, was yesterday (March 18) recovering at home after being punched and kicked to the face and pushed into the private pool at the gated property off Dyke Road Avenue, Brighton.
He emerged from the pool soaking as the burglar – who is believed to have broken into the home via a broken fence panel – ran off.
He was accompanied, at the home which was bought for £795,000 in 2001 but is now worth in excess of £1.5m, by two other men.
One escaped but eagle-eyed police stopped him as he clambered onto the roof of the former home of Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club, Withdean Stadium, just yards from the expensive home.
Police are now hunting the other two men – including the one who pushed the officer into the pool.
A Sussex Police statement following the incident at 10.15pm on Saturday (March 16) said: “Quick work from police and the public led to the arrest of a man on suspicion of burglary at a house.
“A member of the public contacted police and reported seeing three people climbing over a fence of a property.
“Police attended and saw three men run from the property and leave the area in an Audi car.
“An officer tried to stop the men and was assaulted in the process. He received facial injuries.
Quick thinking
“Officers followed the car to the area of Withdean Stadium. A man was seen on the roof of the sports hall at the stadium and was arrested by officers. The other two men are being sought by police.”
Detective Inspector Nick Chambers added: “Thanks to a quick-thinking member of the public, officers were able to quickly get to the scene of the burglary and make an arrest.
“We are continuing to investigate this incident and are appealing for anyone with information regarding the burglary or information about the other two men who were seen in the area to contact Sussex Police.”
Daniel Sallis, 27, of Woodingdean, who had been missing since the beginning of January, has been charged with burgling a home in Dyke Road Avenue and theft.
He has also been charged with escape from lawful custody in Kingsway, Shoreham, and two counts of receiving stolen goods on December 28, 2012.
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