A have-a-go hero who raced after a thief who stole nearly £300 worth of designer sunglasses is being hailed as a champion by the police.
Shop assistant Raman Johal has been invited to Hounslow Police’s commendation ceremony in November after he helped catch a man last Monday (October 14) who slipped out of Chiswick Eyewear in the High Road with three pairs of Ray Ban Wayfarer sunglasses, worth £267 all together.
The 22-year-old keen footballer, of Norwood Green, chased the suspect for around 10 minutes and in the meantime rang the police on his mobile and kept them updated as he sprinted up Turnham Green Terrace.
Mr Johal, who has worked in the opticians for two years, said: “I didn’t think, I just ran after him and realised I couldn’t keep running all day so dialled 999 as I was running. I lost him a couple of times and was a bit worried he would jump out of nowhere and attack me but luckily the police were quite close and managed to catch him in Belmont Road.
“When they caught the thief, he told me he couldn’t believe I had managed to keep up as I was wearing my work shoes!”
The hero then went then went back and retrieved the undamaged glasses - worth £150 each - from a garden the thief had thrown them into as Mr Johal ran after him.
Richard Cavanagh, store manager at Chiswick Eyewear, said he was very proud of Raman. “It’s fair to say he got a hero’s welcome when he came back to the shop, and rightly so. It’s not often you see bravery like that.
“Everybody gave him a round of applause and we were so proud to hear that he’s been commended by the police.”
Hounslow police superintendent, Sally Benatar, praised Mr Johal. She said: “I would like to congratulate Mr Johal for his actions. He acted quickly and displayed bravery and stamina to keep the chase going until police arrived and were able to arrest the suspect.
“Due to his actions, the suspect has been convicted of this offence and the sunglasses have been recovered. We have invited Mr Johal and his manager to our Hounslow Borough Police Commendation Ceremony in November to receive a formal thank you and commendation from the Borough Commander Carl Bussey.”
Bryce Daniels, 35, of Hereford Road, Acton, admitted his guilt at Feltham Magistrates’ Court on October 15. He was given a 12 month conditional discharge for shoplifting and was ordered to pay a total of £150 in compensation, victim surcharge and court costs.
