A WANTED couple on the run were caught following a dramatic rooftop chase - one of the burglars later comparing himself to 'a ninja' despite the failed escape attempt.
Jamie Rice, 34, and Adell Thomas, 33, stole items from the Victoria Institute in Sansome Walk in Worcester - the same building as Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum.
But the couple was cornered today (Thursday) after they tried - but failed - to escape over rooftops in Birmingham where they had been holed up after nearly two months on the run.
It is understood they climbed out of a Velux window in the roof at around 8.40am as officers hammered on the door of a flat above a shop. Thomas suffered a toe injury during the escape attempt.
EFFORT: This officer used his loaf - and a ladder - to try and get to the couple holed up at this address following a burglary at the Victoria Institute in Worcester (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)
The pair attempted the escape after previously failing to attend their sentencing hearing at Worcester Crown Court on April 13. When they failed to turn up, warrants for their arrest were issued.
As officers were already out on another, unrelated job, the West Mercia Police detectives from Proactive CID decided to call in and try to apprehend the elusive couple.
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Eagle-eyed detectives spotted them fleeing over rooftops after they climbed out of a flat above a convenience store on the corner of Partridge Road and Broadstone Road in Birmingham.
Jamie Rice tries to escape over rooftops but is quickly cornered by officers (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)
When Rice was cornered in a garden nearby he was handcuffed and taken away to a waiting police van. Thomas was also detained nearby and placed in the back of an unmarked car.
Both were taken in separate vehicles to Worcester Police Station and are expected to be transferred to Worcester Crown Court later today (Thursday) where it is possible they could be sentenced.
In the back of the police van, Rice, talking about his climbing onto the roof, said: "I'm like a ninja."
CAUGHT: Jamie Rice is handcuffed by police after a failed escape attempt over rooftops (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)
Officers knocked on their door after climbing an external staircase - but there was no answer despite warnings to 'open up or we're coming in'.
At one stage officers even produced a ladder as they tried to climb in through an upstairs window. One witness joked: "Oh look, the window cleaner's here."
Previously the pair admitted stealing a black mountain bike, a blue children's push bike, a clock, Christmas decorations, a black suitcase, a toolbox tray and various tools, a doormat, an inflatable kayak and a rucksack from The Victoria Institute, Sansome Walk.
The offence took place on September 8 last year.
Both pleaded guilty to burglary when they appeared at Worcester Crown Court in February, and on Thursday, (April 13) the couple were due to return to the court for sentencing.
But at the start of the hearing Simon Phillips, defending, explained neither Rice or Thomas, both giving their address as Freer Road, Aston, Birmingham, were at court.
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