Chip and Pin Bandit Busted After Neighbours Spot Her Fiddling with Car Doors
Suspicious Woman Sparks Late-Night Police Raid
Police swooped in Mansfield after residents noticed a woman trying multiple car door handles in the early hours. Officers were called to Cumberland Drive following reports of the suspicious behaviour just after 1.40am on Thursday 10 August.
Thief Caught Red-Handed with Stolen Tech
Officers tracked down a woman matching the description on Somersall Road near the town centre. A stop and search revealed she had a chip and pin machine — stolen from a work van — plus a slingshot tucked away.
Swift Arrest Stops More Theft
She was arrested on the spot for theft from a vehicle and possession of an offensive weapon.
Neighbourhood Inspector Kylie Davies from Nottinghamshire Police praised vigilant locals. “Thanks to members of the public spotting a suspicious woman we deployed officers immediately and arrested her nearby,” she said.
“This prevented more vehicles from being targeted. The chip and pin machine was vital to the business owner’s work.
“Had he woken up to find it gone, it would have caused real damage. Luckily, we returned it before he even noticed it was missing.”
