Moment farm shop thief takes police on the ‘Great Windsor Triathlon’ by cycling, running and swimming away from officers
Alan Styles, 51, was caught after stealing food from a Windsor farm shop and leading police on a chase involving bicycles, running and swimming in the Thames. The unusual pursuit ended with Styles’ arrest, and he later admitted several offences.
Styles was caught on CCTV leaving the shop with a basket of goods on 24 September, then crashing his getaway bicycle into a gate. When police spotted him by the river, he swam away and officers used a passing boat to follow; a police dog handler later rode the abandoned bicycle while the dog ran alongside. Styles also admitted stealing a bicycle in Eton, stealing from Marks & Spencer in Windsor and two other offences. On 19 October, he received an 18-month community order.
In short
- A farm shop theft led to a cycling, running and swimming police chase.
- Alan Styles admitted five offences.
- He was given an 18-month community order.
Explained simply
Farm shops sell food directly to customers, and Windsor has other shops nearby, including Marks & Spencer. Theft can involve more than taking goods from a shop: leaving without paying, taking a bicycle and fleeing police may each lead to separate charges.
Thames Valley Police cover Windsor and the surrounding area. In this case, the offences involved a farm shop and shops in Windsor and Eton, as well as a pursuit along the river. The court dealt with the admitted offences by giving Alan Styles an 18-month community order, a sentence served in the community rather than in prison.