'Brave' Tettenhall neighbours catch suspect after break-in

Surinder Dulai said he was terrified when she spotted intruders in her home as she parked her car over the road. But within seconds, her neighbours in Manor Street and people she knew from around Tettenhall were on hand to offer help.

When a man started walking down towards the group, unknown to those who had gathered, Mrs Dulai immediately suspected him and asked to know who he was. He then attempted to run away but the group was able to catch and detain him around the corner in Limes Road.

Police arrived within five minutes and arrested him on suspicion of burglary.

An investigation is being carried out to identify the second suspect.

Mrs Dulai, 62, has been left shaken by the break-in but is full of praise for the actions of her neighbours.

She said: "They were all very brave. Even two girls who had stopped were trying to hold the man down. Everyone knows me and I know everyone around here, because I have worked at the shop here all these years.

"If it had not been for the community I don't know what I would have done. If they think they can frighten people like that they can't, not really. They make the community stronger coming here."

Mrs Dulai moved to England aged seven, lives with her husband and two children and had worked at the Tettenhall Road Co-Operative shop for the last 25 years.

The family are not yet sure of everything which was taken in the burglary but know that several thousands pounds of cash was nabbed from a bedroom.

Mrs Dulai, added: "I am standing looking out the windows and I can't sit down. I want to know who everyone is in every car which goes past. I am scared to go out.

"It is really terrible knowing people have been in the house. It makes me angry as well.

"You spend a life making a home and then someone walks in without your permission. It is a very bad feeling.

"I hope they pay for it by realising the guilt of that they have done and I hope they never do it to anyone else."

First to arrive and help Mrs Dulai was local butcher Simon Pooler.

The 43-year-old initially thought she was having trouble with her car but then saw the burglars and sought to comfort her.

He said: "This is a village community. Although I did not know Surinder's name before this happened, I knew she lived in that home as I walk past two times a day and see her gardening.

"I never had any doubts about helping when I saw Surinder was distressed."

The burglary took place shortly before 5pm on Thursday, November 19.

Anyone with information is urged to call West Midlands Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Paddy Doran, of Beckett Street, Bilston, appeared at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court on Saturday charged with burglary and was granted conditional bail. He will next appear at the city's crown court on February 12.