Rooftop chase and teens ‘boxed in’ helps cut city burglaries

However, senior detectives based in Worcester say they are ‘never complacent’ despite some significant arrests, including that of a couple who fled over rooftops but were cornered before they could escape.

James Rice, 34, and Adell Thomas, 33, were arrested after attempting to flee in Birmingham last Thursday following a burglary at the Victoria Institute in Sansome Walk in Worcester – the same building as Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum.

CAUGHT: Burglar Jamie Rice trying and failing to get away as West Mercia Proactive detectives close in on him during a failed escape attempt over rooftops (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Both pleaded guilty to burglary when they appeared at Worcester Crown Court in February, and on Thursday, (April 13) the couple were due to return to the court for sentencing. Both are now due to be sentenced on June 23. CAUGHT: Tomasz Grzegorczyk targeted an address in Farrier Street but he was caught just days later by West Mercia Police (Image: West Mercia Police) Another burglar – 46-year-old Tomasz Grzegorczyk of Tallow Hill, Worcester  – was arrested in the early hours of Wednesday, June 7 after a burglary was reported at Court Mews in Farrier Street a few days before (June 4). He will be sentenced at Worcester Crown on July 7.

READ MORE: Farrier Street burglar stole mobile phones and bank cards

READ MORE: What next for Victoria Institute burglars caught after chase

DI Dave Knight of Proactive CID said: “We have a dedicated team of highly skilled detectives led by DS Grant Fraser who purely focus on investigating home burglaries and getting offenders locked up.

“That team works all hours with the intention of disrupting burglars, preventing burglaries and getting burglars off to prison.

“It’s never a role we can take with any complacency.

“When you have arrested one individual or team of burglars there will always be someone who is willing to replace them.”

Typically, South Worcestershire experienced three to four burglaries in a 24-hour period, says the DI, but this had fallen.

He said this was possibly because several key suspects had been apprehended. 

There has been a burglary at The Hill Avenue in Worcester between 8.15am and 2.25pm on June 13. A patio door was damaged during the break-in.

DI Dave Knight has praised the dedication of the burglary team and patrol officers from West Mercia Police after some positive results (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Meanwhile, a Volkswagen Golf was stolen during a car key burglary in Hylton Road, St John’s, over the weekend.

However, the stolen vehicle was intercepted by uniformed officers on patrol in the early hours of Tuesday morning, the police car blocking off the escape of the suspects in Oldbury Road, St John’s. Two 16-year-olds were arrested on suspicion of burglary.

One was released on police bail. The other has been charged with taking the vehicle without the owner’s consent and released with ‘stringent bail conditions’. The burglary itself remains under investigation.

A suspect has also been arrested following a string of burglaries in Malvern between May 29 and June 5 including in Lambourne Avenue and Crystal Crescent. 

The arrest, carried out by West Midlands Police, seems to have helped reduce house burglaries in Malvern said DI Knight.

There were also four other burglaries in Malvern before this period which remain under investigation by West Mercia Police.

The advice from West Mercia Police remains to call 999 if a burglary is in progress.