A REIGATE man is among a group of five suspected of being involved in more than 200 burglaries across the south east.
Detectives from Sussex, Surrey, Kent and Metropolitan Police have been working together to arrest the gang believed to have carried out break-in in all four policing areas since September.
Officers from across the region were alerted at 7pm yesterday (January 13) when homes in Heathfield Park, Midhurst and Nyetimber Copse, West Chiltington, were burgled.
Patrols and the police helicopter began searching the area and were contacted when a group of men in a stolen silver Volkswagen Golf used their vehicle to force a 27-year-old woman and 17-year-old girl in a Ford Focus to stop their car on the B2133 in Billingshurst.
The Ford Focus was abandoned in West Chiltington Lane and a number of people were seen to run from the car.
A 28-year-old man from Reigate, a 24-year-old man from Sidcup in Greater London, a 29-year-old man from South Eckendon in Essex, a 20-year-old man from Billingshurst in West Sussex and a 16-year-old boy were quickly arrested on suspicion of burglary.
They are all being questioned in custody.
Detective Inspector Dave Wardley-Wilkins, of Sussex Police, said: "We need to speak to anyone who saw the Golf or the Focus being driven in or around Billingshurst last night or anyone who saw men running from the Focus after it was abandoned.
"We also need to find anyone who saw people acting suspiciously in Heathfield Park, Midhurst, and Nyetimber Copse, West Chiltington, yesterday.
"Five people are being questioned about a large number of burglaries across the region but we will need the public's help. If you know anything at all that could help us, please get in touch."
Anyone with information should email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk quoting serial 889 of 13/01, call 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
