A thief was arrested in Chippenham when he was spotted trying to steal a bike – and it turns out he had been the culprit of multiple crimes.

Jody Sidelnik, 42, of no fixed address, Calne, appeared at Swindon Magistrates Court on Monday, November 12, and was charged with multiple offences.

These included handling stolen goods, two counts of theft from a shop, possession of a knife in public, and obstructing police.

Police officers were called to the Hungry Horse pub on Rowden Hill, Chippenham, on Saturday, November 11, after an off-duty police officer spotted Sidelnik attempting to steal a bike from outside the pub.

But when they arrived, officers quickly realised this was much more than a simple theft incident.

Sidelnik was found in possession of a knife and multiple stolen bottles of alcohol, and he had previously been arrested in April 2023 on suspicion of handing stolen goods.

When he was arrested in April, the 42-year-old was verbally abusive to officers and ran away during arrest, so he was never caught.

“Sidelnik is a prolific offender who I am pleased has now been put before the courts and pleaded guilty for multiple offences,” said Sergeant Jamie Ball.

“I’d like to thank the off-duty police officer who alerted us on Saturday and detained Sidelnik until we arrived.  

“I’d also like to praise the teams here in Chippenham for their hard work in ensuring this offender was swiftly arrested and remanded."

After having pleaded guilty in Swindon Magistrates Court, Sidelnik will now be sentenced on Thursday, December 14.