Brave officers tackle burglar at Honeybourne Co-op

Stelica Stavarachi was brought to the ground at the Co-op in Honeybourne by uniformed officers after he made a failed escape attempt.

ARREST: Stelica Stavarachi was tackled by West Mercia Police officers at the Honeybourne Co-op (Image: West Mercia Police)

The 32 -year-old male of no fixed abode was convicted at Kidderminster magistrates court at the weekend and received a six month prison sentence for burglary, suspended for 12 months.

Officers responded after the public called them at 12.49am on Friday, May 19.

DI Dave Knight of South Worcestershire Proactive CID praised the courage of the officers who tackled the burglar and who ran towards danger.

READ MORE: School locked down as police chase suspected burglar in Evesham 

He said: "On arrival officers grabbed hold of Stavarachi who fought with them in an effort to escape. There are believed to be two other offenders. They had smashed their way into the store and appeared to be trying to steal large quantities of cigarettes. South Worcestershire Reactive CID secured the charge.

PRAISE: DI Dave Knight has praised the courage of officers who tackled the burglar at the Co-op in Honeybourne (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

"The vast majority of the public in South Worcestershire support our police, and the fact that a member of the public called us to this crime shows this.

"Officers attending would have had no idea what they were walking into and thankfully are trained for most eventualities.

"To run towards danger is generally perceived as the expectation for all police officers, however it can often be forgotten that these officers have loved ones who want to see them home safely.

"It is a credit to the attending officers that they chose to take on the challenge of preventing Stavarachi's escape despite his attempts to physically bully his way out of the situation. Thankfully no one suffered any serious injuries, but this is not always the case."