Man arrested on suspicion of vehicle crimes in Kidderminster after spate of thefts
Police ask people to come forward if items were taken from their vehicles
A man in his 20s has been arrested on suspicion of interfering with a motor vehicle, theft from a vehicle and possession of class A drugs following a spate of vehicle thefts in Kidderminster.
West Mercia Police said he was arrested in the early hours of Wednesday 14th October.
He was taken to custody before being released on bail, and police said enquiries are ongoing.
Why police were out in Kidderminster
Police said plain-clothed officers were on a proactive operation in the Comberton, Spennells, Aggborough and Offmore areas.
It followed reports of people trying vehicle door handles on insecure vehicles, searching the interiors and stealing property.
Police said suspects have often used pedal cycles to travel between locations and have worn face coverings, which makes identification after the event challenging.
What happened on Wednesday
Police said they received a report at around 4am of a man trying vehicle door handles on Vicarage Crescent.
They said they had a good description of the suspect and officers were at the scene within a couple of minutes.
Officers contained the area and carried out searches before finding a man, who was detained.
Police said a search of him found items consistent with vehicle offences, including a screwdriver, a lock pick, a hand torch and a head torch.
They said he was also carrying several items suspected to have been stolen, including a winning scratch card, a vape, jewellery, a brooch, a bobble hat and loose change.
Police said he was also found with a quantity of suspected class A drugs.
After the arrest, officers reviewed CCTV from the area.
Police said this led them to a bag containing food items and personal property suspected to have been stolen from vehicles overnight.
Appeal for information
PC Max Tandy from Kidderminster Police said: "This was a good arrest from our patrols of areas where we have had reports of vehicle interference and thefts recently, successfully identifying, located and detaining a suspect."
"We would like to ask the public to come forward if they believe their vehicle has been entered overnight and if they have had items taken. If they can provide CCTV and provide information to what items have been taken this will benefit our investigation."
Anyone with this information can contact PC Tandy at [email protected] .