A routine police pursuit in Abercwmboi, south-east Wales, concluded with the help of an unexpected ally—a civilian driver assisting the pursuing officer in apprehending the suspect.

The incident began when officers detected the smell of cannabis coming from a van driven by 25-year-old Jacob Roberts. When police attempted to stop him, Roberts reportedly rammed a police vehicle before crashing into multiple parked cars and a building, leading to a dangerous chase. Roberts eventually drove into a dead-end street, abandoned the van, and fled on foot.

PC Peter Kerswell, who had been pursuing Roberts on foot, flagged down a nearby driver in a red Nissan Micra, which coincidentally shared the same color as the iconic vehicle driven by TV character Detective Chief Inspector Gene Hunt. According to bodycam footage, PC Kerswell asked the driver for a lift to continue the pursuit, and she agreed, asking for directions as they raced toward the suspect.

Upon spotting Roberts, PC Kerswell exited the car, deployed his Taser, and successfully arrested him without incident. Roberts later pleaded guilty to driving offenses related to the chase and was sentenced to one year and two months in prison.

PC Kerswell commented on the outcome, noting that it was fortunate no one was seriously injured during the ordeal. The cooperation between the police and the civilian driver played a crucial role in the timely capture of the suspect.