TWO suspected burglars on the run from police got the shock of their lives in a 'Life on Mars' moment.
Officers in Ruislip Manor raced to catch the pair in a vintage Rover SD1.
Officers this week described the unusual chase as their homage to the time-travel TV cop show heroes, Gene Hunt and Sam Tyler.
The incident began as three men fled the scene of a burglary in Flamborough Road last Friday.
Police got a call at about 4pm, but with the nearest police vehicles attending incidents elsewhere, officers were forced to improvise.
A fleet of three vintage police cars, owned by Ruislip Manor safer neighbourhood officer David Butler, were being driven through the area on their way to an open day at RAF Northolt.
The 1962 Jaguar, 1956 Wolseley and 1983 Rover just happened to be in the right place at the right time.
Behind the wheel of the Rover was Sergeant Neil Roberts. PC Ian Scott was also helping to deliver the retro cars.
"A call came through on the radio that two suspects were refusing to stop, and they had got away on foot," PC Scott told the Gazette.
"Sgt Roberts said to jump in the Rover so we could get there quicker. He dropped me off en route to arrest one suspect, while they chased down another suspect and caught him too.
"Without the Rover we wouldn't have been able to stop these guys.
"The sergeant used his initiative. When a colleague calls for help, you want to do what you can."
Three men aged 18, 19 and 20 were arrested on suspicion of attempted burglary and have been bailed.
Flamborough Road resident, Michael Houssart, saw the Rover whizz past.
He said: "I thought that can't be a proper police car, it's a 1980s Rover!"
PC Scott added: "It was very much a Life on Mars moment."
