A 31-year-old man wanted on suspicion of burglary was discovered by police officers in a makeshift shelter concealed within a dense bush in Pelsall, Walsall. The arrest occurred on Sunday, May 24, near Fishley Lane, after officers from West Midlands Police's Priority Crime Team tracked him down using newly deployed e-bikes.
E-Bike Patrols Lead to Arrest
The suspect was spotted by officers riding e-bikes, which allowed them to access difficult terrain that would have been challenging to cover on foot. Sergeant Jason Pinches praised the operation, stating: "This is an excellent arrest and represents the effective use of resources, including new e-bikes which enable our officers to cover terrain which would have been difficult to cover on foot. Operationally, they give us the agility to respond quickly to neighbourhood issues and reach areas that patrol cars simply can't."
Details of the Operation
Reports had indicated that a man matching the suspect's description was sleeping rough in a large area of open land off Fishley Lane. During a thorough search, officers found the man inside a makeshift shelter hidden from paths within a large bush. He was taken into custody on suspicion of burglary and will remain detained as enquiries continue.
A West Midlands Police spokesperson added: "We arrested a man wanted on suspicion of burglary after officers were deployed on new e-bikes to track the suspect down to undergrowth in Pelsall. The 31-year-old was taken into custody on suspicion of burglary and will remain as we carry out further enquiries."
Investment in E-Bikes
The e-bikes used in the arrest are part of a fleet of 32 deployed across the region, funded through a £60,000 investment by the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner. The bikes were rolled out after a successful pilot in Birmingham, enhancing police mobility and response times in areas inaccessible to patrol cars.
