A DAD tracked down a crook who used his bank card, chased him and made a citizen’s arrest — after cops showed no interest.
Scott Dunster, 38, turned detective after his car was broken into at his home on New Year’s Eve and his wife’s purse stolen with their joint account card.
Dad turned detective Scott tracked down the crook on his own after cops ignored his pleaCredit: Simon Jones
Scott found CCTV footage of the man who was using his stolen bank cardCredit: Simon Jones
After cops ignored the image, he posted it to Facebook where he was identified as Joseph KhasCredit: Simon Jones
He checked his account and found £60 had been spent in an off-licence — so went there and obtained CCTV showing a man using the card.
Scott offered cops the image but when no immediate action was taken he posted it on Facebook and locals in Eastbourne, Sussex, named the man as Joseph Khas.
A social media friend then spotted Khas on Monday afternoon and tipped off Scott.
Scott tried to call police on 101 but could not get through so confronted Khas himself.
He chased Khas for 600 yards through the town centre, tackled him and pinned him to the ground with the help of security stewards.
Khas, 27, pleaded guilty to fraud at Brighton magistrates.
Recruitment consultant Scott told The Sun: “I had to take action and get justice.
“I risked my life confronting him. He could have been armed with a weapon.
“But I was so angry at the lack of action from the police that I decided to do something.
“This guy put me and my family through two nights of hell.
“The police told me the arrest helped their crime figures but I had done all the work.
“Sussex Police’s lack of action when handed the evidence was shameful.”
Khas was bailed to be sentenced on February 2. There was no evidence to charge anyone with the theft of the purse.
Sussex Police praised Scott. But last week The Sun told how more than a million burglary and theft cases were dropped last year without the cops finding a suspect.
Former Flying Squad commander John O’Connor said: “There is now a climate of total apathy.
Scott pinned the crook to the ground with the help of security stewardsCredit: Simon Jones
Joseph Khas pleaded guilty to fraud at Brighton magistratesCredit: Simon Jones
“When you have got the evidence on a silver plate you have to pursue it.”
Ex-Met detective chief inspector Mick Neville added: “Once again, we see a victim of crime left to investigate.”