Police trick 19 criminals into coming forward with free beer

Undercover officers with Derbyshire police sent letters to dozens of people who had evaded arrest asking them to ring a marketing company to collect a free crate of beer.

A total of 19 suspects fell for the hoax and called the number which put them through to police officers based at Chesterfield Police Station.

A time and date was arranged for the free alcohol to be dropped off at an agreed address. But instead of being handed free ale the wanted men found themselves confronted by police, handcuffed and under arrest.

Chief Inspector Graham McLaughlin, who is leading the sting known as Operation Rocky, 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."
Alleged offences committed by some of those arrested range from burglary and robbery to a serious sexual assault.

taken from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/8883575/Police-trick-19-criminals-into-coming-forward-with-free-beer.html