Cool heroes nab prolific criminal
Published: January 11, 2007
A FATHER and son who caught a violent burglar and his accomplice during a robbery at a Meriden house last night received police bravery awards.
The have-a-go heroes, Keith Pettifor, aged 59, and his 38-year-old son Martin, were honoured with Good Citizenship awards at a ceremony at the Tally Ho! centre at Edgbaston.
Last July, Mr Pettifor snr, coowner of a haulage firm in Berkswell Road, Meriden, noticed a vehicle parked on the drive of his daughter’s bungalow next door. His suspicions were aroused as he knew the house was empty at the time.
He approached and found a young woman sitting in the car. Asked why it was parked there, she said her friend had gone to the back of the house because he needed the toilet.
Mr Pettifor went to investigate and found the patio doors had been forced and a man was inside, piling CDs into a bag.
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“I challenged him and he tried to get away,” said Mr Pettifor yesterday. “We struggled and he kept banging me in the face with his elbow.
“We moved outside to the garden and fell into the paddling pool and sandpit. I was determined not to let him escape.”
Mr Pettifor cried out for help and his son Martin rushed to his assistance. Together, they held the burglar, Robert Riddell, until the police arrived.
“The girl was hitting and kicking my son all the time,” said Mr Pettifor. “She was like a little vixen.”
Mr Pettifor snr suffered a cut lip and three of his teeth were loosened. His son had facial injuries and bruises to his body.
Chief Superintendent Gordon Scobbie, commander of Solihull police operational command unit, said: “Mr Pettifor and his son were injured as they detained a violent and prolific criminal. Without doubt their selfless actions have brought an end to offending by this pair.”
At Warwick Crown Court last Thursday, Riddell, 34, of Kitts Green, Birmingham, was jailed for 19 months for burglary and assault. The girl, who is 16, was given a referral order for assault at Solihull Youth Court.
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