A gang of four Koi thieves were caught in the Midlands recently after a dramatic chase which involved a police helicopter, officers from three police forces and members of the public, OATA has informed us.
A report in the Express and Star says that the gang was spotted trying to steal Koi from a garden in the village of Claverley. Officers from Bridgnorth were alerted and were later assisted by police from Kidderminster and Staffordshire.
When the fish thieves tried to make their getaway across fields to evade the police chase a police helicopter from West Mercia was enlisted to help in the pursuit.
The Express and Star says that a member of the public helped the police by blocking the path of the thieves with his car, forcing them to try to escape on foot.
All of the suspected fish thieves are from the Midlands area and have been released on police bail.
PFK, and our sister title, the trade publication Pet Product Marketing has covered the rise in fish thefts several times recently.
OATA urges any fishkeeper who has had their fish stolen to contact West Mercia constabulary, as they may have information that could be related to this case.