Exhausted Police Officer Hitches Ride From Motorist During Foot Chase

A police officer chasing two suspected teenage moped thieves received some unexpected assistance when a passing motorist stopped and gave him a ride.

The unusual pursuit unfolded in Southampton, England, on the evening of July 20 after police received a report that a moped had been stolen near Harbour Parade.

When officers arrived, two boys—ages 12 and 15—reportedly took off running toward Western Esplanade.

PC Toby Pitt began chasing one of the suspects on foot, but the pursuit took place during hot weather and the officer was rapidly running out of both pavement and enthusiasm.

Two women driving home spotted the chase while approaching a traffic light. One began recording as the visibly exhausted officer sprinted behind the fleeing suspect.

As their vehicle approached, Pitt opened a rear door, climbed inside and instructed the driver to follow the suspect.

“We thought he was coming over to tell us to stop filming,” one of the women later explained. Instead, the officer commandeered their back seat and temporarily converted the car into an unofficial police cruiser.

Video of the incident captures the driver cheerfully saying, “Come on then, King,” before allowing Pitt inside.

The women drove after the suspect until Pitt instructed them to stop. The officer then jumped out and continued the pursuit on foot, apparently refreshed by several moments of sitting down and enjoying the vehicle’s air conditioning.

The suspect attempted to hide in a bush but was discovered and arrested.

Both boys were ultimately taken into custody on suspicion of motor-vehicle theft. They were later released on bail while the investigation continues.

Pitt thanked the driver for providing the impromptu transportation and acknowledged that the air conditioning was particularly welcome on such a hot day.

The episode demonstrated that police officers do not always require a patrol car, helicopter or elaborate roadblock to capture a fleeing suspect.

Sometimes they just need a friendly motorist, an unlocked back door and somebody willing to turn a routine drive home into a low-budget episode of Cops.