A Swindon thief who sparked a rooftop stand-off in the town centre is back behind bars.
29-year-old Jamie Loveridge was being hunted by police after he was filmed stealing a bicycle in Cricklade Road on 7 May – in breach of the terms of his release from prison.
Staff at a local bank called 999 when they spotted the prolific offender in the Regent Circus area on 9 May, with officers immediately deployed to the area.
Homeless Loveridge was swiftly located, but made off on foot – climbing onto the single-storey roofs of properties in Stanier Street, off Crombey Street.
He proceeded to act in a threatening and abusive manner towards PCs Thompson, Burchell and Breakspear, throwing bricks and tiles at them.
Crombey Street was cordoned off as specially-trained negotiators, along with Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service and South Western Ambulance Service, were called to assist.
Loveridge appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on 12 May, where he pleaded guilty to two bicycle thefts, breaching a criminal behaviour order and threatening behaviour.
He was jailed for 44 weeks. He was also recalled to prison, meaning he’ll serve the rest of his previous prison sentence too. It’s unclear how long he’ll serve in total.
A court report stated that “only a custodial sentence can be justified because the defendant has a flagrant disregard for people and their property.”
Speaking about the incident at the time, a spokesperson for Wiltshire Police said: “Yesterday’s incident in Crombey Street was a great example of excellent teamwork across the Force and our partner agencies in bringing about a positive result.
“At around 5.15pm yesterday we received a report from staff at a local bank that a man wanted for the theft of a bicycle, which had been widely publicised on social media, had been seen near Regent Circus.
“Waterside CCTV were notified and began monitoring. Officers also attended the scene, at which point the man made off on foot, climbing onto a roof on Crombey Street.
“He then began throwing bricks and roof tiles at officers – fortunately, there were no injuries.
“The Force Incident Manager resourced negotiators, while our colleagues at the ambulance and fire and rescue services both also attended to assist.
“The road was closed for both public and officer safety. Officers, working in conjunction with the negotiator team, were able to safely bring the man down from the roof.
“He was subsequently arrested on suspicion of theft, three counts of assault on officers, and recall to prison.”
