National: Suspected burglar rescued from tree in bizzare arrest scene

A man who Police were seeking on suspicion of attempted burglary in Belfast had to be rescued by Police officers in Belfast in a bizzare scene last night.

The Belfast Telegraph’s Kevin Scott posted on social media about the surreal scene, as the 32-year-old male suspect found himself stuck at the top of a 60-foot tree after trying to evade Police.

It’s understood that the man was trying to avoid arrest after multiple reports of attempted burglaries were received Andersonstown Park West area of Belfast just before 10pm last night.

The bizzare scene was then capped off when the suspect asked for a cigarette from officers as part of an agreement to get down from the tree – with the only cigarette in the area belonging to one of the occupants of the homes he attempted to enter.

Regarding the incident, a PSNI spokesperson said: “We initially received a report at approximately 9.10pm on Saturday evening, 18th January of an attempted burglary in the Andersonstown Park West area of the city.”

“A short time later, officers received a second report of an attempted burglary at another house in the Fruithill Park area of the city at around 9.45pm.”

“It was reported that a suspicious man had tried to enter a house through a window. Further enquiries were made and officers established the suspect had climbed a nearby tree.”

“Following a lengthy negotiation, officers alongside colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, brought the man down to safety.”

“The 32-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of two counts of attempted burglary and disorderly behaviour.”

“Our enquiries are ongoing and we would appeal to anyone with any information, including CCTV footage or who may have witnessed suspicious activity in the areas to contact us on 101, quoting reference number 1502 of 18/01/25.”