TWO COVENTRY coppers who caught a violent shop robber red-handed after lying in wait at a retail park have been commended for ending his crime spree.
Sergeant Dave Stevens and PC Steven Doherty tackled Ryan Ledger as he stormed into B&M in Ansty Road, Walsgrave, and threatened staff with a crowbar.
It was his third raid in a week having previously struck at Texaco Service Station in Hinckley Road and Aldi on the same road.
However, unbeknown to the 31-year-old he was followed into the store by DS Stevens and PC Doherty who were on plain clothes patrols on the look-out for the robber.
West Midlands Police They bravely wrestled Ledger to the floor and with the help of a member of the public he was detained and the crowbar seized.
He later admitted the robberies and was jailed for seven years.
Coventry Police Chief Inspector Paul Minor praised the officers’ intuition in predicting Ledger’s next move and being in the right place at the right time.
He said: “The officers pulled together a patrol plan of Walsgrave businesses, possible future targets, in light of Ledger’s offending. They predicted he might strike next at B&M and were lying in wait when Ledger appeared.
“Ledger showed no signs of ending his crime spree and thought nothing of threatening staff with weapons. But the alertness and bravery of these two officers thwarted him in his tracks and ensured businesses and workers could rest easier knowing he is behind bars.”
