A QUICK-thinking restaurateur foiled the get-away of a ram-raider by phoning police fast enough to ensure his capture.
Mark Seal, 37, of no fixed abode, was spotted by New Thai Garden restaurant owner Chui Vong as he backed a stolen Ford Escort into Threshers, in Queensway, Petts Wood.
Mr Vong heard a smash of glass as Seal reversed the stolen car into the neighbouring off-licence.
He quickly turned off his lights, so he could not be seen, before looking out of the window to see what was happening.
While Seal was raiding the off-licence, Mr Vong took down the car registration number and called the police.
Seal was arrested while sitting in the stolen car in nearby Woodhurst Avenue. On the passenger seat were 100 packets of cigarettes, 47 packs of tobacco and four bottles of champagne.
The car had been taken from outside a house in Upper Norwood, the day before the raid by Seal on January 13.
Prosecuting at Croydon Crown Court, Jane Carpenter said Seal had a string of previous convictions for burglaries and thefts and was on licence from a previous sentence.
Seal was jailed for 30 months on March 6 after pleading guilty to burglary and driving while disqualified.
Mr Vong was awarded £150 for his public-spirited action.
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