International fugitive Lukasz Peczek arrested in London, England

An international fugitive was yesterday (12 August) being returned to Poland after being arrested by an extradition detective and two passing Mounted Branch officers.

Lukasz Peczek, 33, who is wanted in Poland for robbery, was arrested on 21 July after being spotted entering an address in Chatsworth Road, Clapton E5 by DC Andy Dossett of the Metropolitan Police Service’s Extradition Unit.

Knowing that the man was a violent offender, DC Dossett decided not to approach him alone and feared that he may miss his chance to catch him.

But when two MPS Mounted Branch officers, who happened to be patrolling the area, passed him he enlisted their help.

Police Constables Paul Copeland and Lyn Frearson, dismounted their horses, Boris and Laurel, tethered them to the nearby horsebox and accompanied DC Dossett to the address where they arrested Peczek.

DC Dossett said: "When I saw Peczek walk into the address I was worried that my chance to arrest him was gone.

"I knew that I couldn’t let him get away, so when I saw the mounted branch officers approaching on Boris and Laurel it was like a couple of knights in shining armour coming to my aid.

"Knowing that this dangerous fugitive is now off London’s streets and on his way to face prosecution in Poland is what this job is all about."

Detective Chief Inspector Murray Duffin, from the Economic and Specialist Crime Command, said:

"This is a great example of uniformed and detective officers coming together to work in unison on a highly impactive job. As a result of all three officer’s dynamic actions, London is safer."

Lukasz Peczek appeared before the City of Westminster Magistrates Court on 22 July where his extradition was ordered.

He was being returned to Poland yesterday on a Polish military flight.