BRAVE neighbours chased a crook after he broke into a restaurant and stole the safe.

The man forced his way into Street Thai in Brighton Square, Brighton, late on Thursday night and fled carrying the safe.

But he did not expect to be pursued by two people who caught him in the act.

Jake Shipton, who was staying in a flat above the square, said he became aware of the break-in when loud alarms began to sound.

He went down to the restaurant with a friend to see what was going on.

The 19-year-old said: “With the recent break-ins in the area we wanted to go and have a look – we know people who own stores in the square.

“We first noticed him running along the top terrace and he was shouting for us to stay back or he would stab us and that he was armed.

“We kept a safe distance, not knowing what type of weapon he was carrying, but he was certainly very aggressive and desperate.”

The man made repeated threats to stab the pair as they followed him into Meeting House Lane, then North Street and New Road.

As they did this, Jake called 999 and kept police up to date with the burglar’s movements.

He said staff from other businesses in the area joined them in the chase.

Jake said: “He put the safe down and started to run at people, threatening to stab them.

“He had something in his hand.

“He chased us back and cornered us near a wall outside Wahaca where, in self defence, my friend launched a wheelie bin at him and members of the public then began to intervene.”

The man picked the safe up again and ran into the Pavilion Gardens where he threw it into a bush.

Jake said: “Three of us chased after him but decided it was too dangerous to continue and we had got the safe back.”

Police arrived minutes later and searched the area.

The police helicopter hovered low over the gardens between 11.40pm and midnight and police set a dog unit after the burglar but he has not yet been found.

Sussex Police are now appealing for information on the whereabouts of the man and are asking witnesses to come forward.

A spokesman said: “The man is described as being in his thirties, 6ft tall and slim, wearing a black hooded jacket, black jeans and grey Adidas trainers.”

He said officers would like to speak to the man pictured above in connection with the incident.

The spokesman said: “Officers would like to hear from anyone who may have seen the suspect or who may have relevant CCTV, mobile phone or dash-cam footage. They are asked to contact Sussex Police online or by phoning 101.