Free beer offer!

[Gob]

The offer of a free drink is often one that is hard to refuse.

And it's not something you would expect to receive from the police.

But in an unlikely twist, it is exactly that action that police took to their advantage as part of an undercover sting operation helping them trace 19 suspects wanted in connection with a string of unsolved crimes.

Derbyshire police said the suspects were detained after officers wrote to a group of people who had evaded arrest for several months.

The sting was carried out as part of a month-long campaign targeting serious crime across north Derbyshire.

The letters urged them to take advantage of a complimentary crate of beer courtesy of a marketing company.

A total of 19 suspects, wanted in connection with a range of alleged offences including robbery, burglary and sexual assault, fell for the hoax.

They called the number printed on the letters, which put them through to officers based at Chesterfield Police Station.

Police then arranged a time and date for the free alcohol to be dropped off, but instead arrested those awaiting the beverages at locations in Chesterfield, Staveley, Alfreton, Ilkeston, Sheffield and Nottingham.

Chief Inspector Graham McLaughlin from Derbyshire Police who led the operation, said: 'These suspects are people who have managed to evade arrest for some time so we have used different tactics to find them.

'It has been very cost-effective as it can take a lot of time and money to track people down.

'We use a variety of methods to arrest those suspected of committing criminal offences and we will continue to use new tactics when necessary'.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... z1dXBO6uyl

[Beer Sponge]

A total of 19 suspects, wanted in connection with a range of alleged offences including robbery, burglary and sexual assault, fell for the hoax.

Did they at least get the beer? After all, it was offered!

[Lord Jim]

This is a technique that has been used in this country for years; (most typically to round up folks who have been on the lam for parole violations and "failure to appear" bench warrants)

They'll send out official looking letters that tell people they've won a cruise, a car, etc., and then nab then when they show up to claim their prize....

Nobody ever said that most crooks are particularly bright...

I think it's an excellent and creative use of law enforcement resources; you round up a bunch of bad guys at a single swoop with very little risk to the safety of the cops, innocent third parties, or even the perps.

[Gob]

I think the cops should be allowed to share the beer following a successful con.

BTW, I love your sig line Beer Sponge!

[Beer Sponge]

BTW, I love your sig line Beer Sponge!

Vagina!

[dales]

Ms. White's is prolly like a catcher's mitt by now.

[loCAtek]

I'm a Vaginal-American!

[Beer Sponge]

Ms. White's is prolly like a catcher's mitt by now.

I'd still hit that.