A manhunt involving scores of police officers ended with a 26-year-old man being arrested in Ventnor last night (Sunday) in connection with the theft of around £500 worth of fragrances from a chemist in Ryde.
Officers descended on upper and lower Ventnor shortly after 18:00, carrying out searches focused around the Lowtherville Road area as they hunted for a suspect.
A police drone was deployed to assist officers on the ground, but the initial search proved unsuccessful, and resources began to stand down.
However, at around 19:30, new information led police to Marlborough Road in central Ventnor.
The drone was deployed for a second time, alongside a local dog unit, as officers moved in on their suspect – a known local criminal.
Shortly before 20:00, a 26-year-old man was successfully located, arrested and placed in handcuffs. He was taken out onto the High Street, where he was placed into a police van before being transported to custody.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary has confirmed this morning (Monday) that the man was arrested on suspicion of burglary.
The arrest is in connection with an incident at Gibbs & Gurnell chemist on Union Street, Ryde, on Saturday 12th September, during which approximately £500 worth of fragrances were stolen.
The 26-year-old remains in police custody at this time.
