Man red-dotted with taser by Portsmouth police after threatening Lidl staff with a 'used syringe' in Hilsea

A MAN was red-dotted with a taser by police after holding up shop staff with a ‘used syringe’ during a theft.

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.

Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

An officer from Fareham happened to be passing Lidl in Hilsea on Saturday morning and was alerted to a man who had stolen items and threatened staff with a needle.

He red-dotted the suspect with a taser and then arrested the 25-year-old man.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Luke Warren Meller of no fixed abode was charged with one count of theft from a shop and two counts of using threatening behaviour to cause harm, alarm or distress.

Lidl in Hilsea. Picture: Google MapsLidl in Hilsea. Picture: Google Maps
Lidl in Hilsea. Picture: Google Maps
Read More
Outrage after anti-lockdown protesters march through Portsmouth

A police spokesman said: ‘We can confirm that we were called out to an incident at 9.09am on Saturday 14 November after reports of a man shoplifting at Lidl on Norway Road, Hilsea.

‘A 25-year-old man threatened staff at the store with an uncapped needle. Officers challenged the man, red-dotting with a taser in the process, and arrested him.

‘Meller is due to appear at Southampton Magistrates Court on Monday, March 1, 2021.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A tweet from Hants Response Cops read: ‘Fareham E shift officer just happened to be passing Lidl on Norway Road in Hilsea where a male had stolen items and threatened staff with a used syringe.

‘Bad move as challenged and red dotted with taser and arrested. Subsequently charged with 3 offences. #wrongplacewrongtime’

You can catch up with more of our stories about crime and incidents in Portsmouth by joining our Portsmouth Breaking News and Incidents Facebook group.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

The News is more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism.