CITIZEN'S ARREST
Watch incredible moment shirtless hero PINS DOWN burglar until cops arrive after stranger broke into his home
The criminal admitted his guilt straight away
COPS have released bodycam footage of a heroic homeowner pinning a burglar down on the sofa during a home invasion.
The man sprang into action after being tipped off by a simple error from the crook.
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The clip was shared by South Yorkshire Police after the attempted theft in Sheffield.
The couple living in the property first noticed something was wrong when they spotted a light on downstairs after going to bed.
Much to their horror, they discovered that David Timmins, 42, had broken into their home, hunting for goods to pinch.
But, rather than cowering, the courageous resident leapt onto Timmins and pinned him down on the sofa.
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He then conducted a citizen's arrest and the police were called, arriving on the scene within 10 minutes.
The bodycam feed from the attending officers showed them entering the house as the hero's distressed partner opens the door.
She can be heard saying: "Please, please, please.
"[He's] in the corner there."
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As the officers moved into the room, they spot Timmins, dressed in a dark tracksuit, being held down by the shirtless victim.
He was arrested on suspicion of burglary and immediately admitted his guilt.
Watch moment burglar crawls through pub and restaurants in clumsy attempt to evade CCTV
The thug pleaded: "I will not resist.
"I pinched it.
"I'll be nicked on burglary and the lot, just let these cuffs looser.
"I'll make it an easy interview for you."
Timmins subsequently appeared at Sheffield Crown Court on September 3, where he pleaded guilty to burglary dwelling and theft - no violence.
He was sentenced to two and half years in prison on November 1, as well as ordered to pay a £228 surcharge.
How can you make a citizen's arrest
As the name suggests, a citizen's arrest is when a suspected criminal is detained by someone who is not a police officer.
You can make one if you witness someone in the act of committing an "indictable offence" or if you reasonably suspect that they will do so imminently but it is not "reasonably practicable" for a police officer to make the arrest instead.
The most common indictable offences that apply are theft, burglary or criminal damage.
A citizen's arrest can also be made to prevent the suspect:
- Causing injury to themselves or someone else
- Suffering an injury inadvertently
- Damaging or destroying property
- Fleeing before a police officer can arrive
Cops recommend calling 999 before attempting a citizen's arrest and not doing so if it will put you in danger.
You must also use reasonable force and be aware that, if you get it wrong, you could be sued for unlawful arrest or false imprisonment.
Katie Summerhayes, the officer in charge of the case, said: "The victim of this burglary showed incredible courage in detaining Timmins before we arrived at the scene.
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"Our officers acted quickly and, thanks in no small part to the victim, Timmins had no choice but to admit his guilt.
"I am pleased with the result of this case which shows we will take strong, robust action against burglars who think they can terrorise our communities and get away with it."
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