Police arrest suspected car thief who jumped into canal after cops burst tyres

Eye-witnesses said up to 10 police cars were involved in the operation in Foleshill Road



A suspect jumped into a freezing cold canal after police used a ‘stinger’ device used to stop a suspected stolen car.

Eye-witnesses said up to 10 police cars were involved in the operation on a bridge in Foleshill Road over the Coventry Canal.

The West Midlands Police helicopter was also in the area circling the scene.

A grey Mazda with all four tyres burst was abandoned on the bridge and police officers with dogs searched the canal towpath and nearby commercial land.

The drama unfolded shortly before 3pm when police officers who were on patrol saw a suspected stolen car.

Officers decided to employ a ‘stinger’ device to burst the car’s tyres due to the erratic nature in which it was being driven.

The Mazda mounted a pavement and also went around a roundabout the wrong way before it was brought to a halt.

Two men in the car attempted to flee the scene, with one even jumping in the canal in a bid to get away.

He climbed out almost immediately and was arrested.