Shoplifter caught red-handed by officer on pushbike patrol

A pushbike-riding officer caught a prolific shoplifter within yards of a store he’d just targeted.
Ricky Tinsley was making his way out of the door with his arms full of stolen items when he was spotted.
The 40-year-old was caught seconds later after being recognised by PC Jonny Hobbs who was passing by on an electric pushbike.
At that point, Tinsley dropped the bags full of items and tried to make a run for it but didn’t get far before he was detained.
That was thanks to the patrolling Bestwood officer, who got off his bike, chased after the thief on foot, and then escorted him back to the store.
The theft on Saturday (3 February) represented the sixth time Tinsley had stolen items from the same store in Beckhampton Road, Bestwood.
Each of these offences took place between November 2023 and February 2024, while he also stole from another shop on the same street on 24 January.
Tinsley was wanted for failing to appear at court for some of these thefts when he was spotted by the neighbourhood policing team officer.
Following his arrest at the weekend, he was also issued with a community protection notice for frequent antisocial behaviour (ASB) at a property in Townsend Court, Top Valley.
As part of these conditions, he has been banned from being in the complex at any point between 9pm and 9am, until 1 February 2025.
Tinsley, formerly of Ranskill Gardens, Top Valley, appeared at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Monday (5 February).
He pleaded guilty to seven counts of theft and one count of failing to surrender to custody.
Tinsley was subsequently sentenced to 18 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months.
He was also ordered to complete a six-month drug rehabilitation requirement programme, as well as 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days.