A violent fugitive known as 'The Running Man' has been caught by police after 13 years of evading the authorities.
Ambrose Nicolas O'Neill, 42, has been on the run since 2008 after he was convicted for attacking a 67-year-old antiques dealer and threatening to kill him in a robbery in 2007.
O'Neill knocked on the man's front door pretending to be a pizza delivery man, before pushing him over and punching him, before ordering him to open his safe. He left empty-handed.
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But he didn't turn up for the rest of his trial, and in December was sentenced to eight years in prison.
A man-hunt was launched with colleagues from other forces joining to help. But after all lines of enquiry were exhausted, a breakthrough came following a Crimestoppers tip that alerted police to the fact O'Neill could be living with a woman in Boston, Lincolnshire.
O'Neill was arrested on Friday and placed in custody by PC James Gill of Nottinghamshire Police.
He was taken straight to prison to start his eight-year sentence but will also appear before Leicester Crown Court where it may be extended.
PC Gill said: "He was laughing at the police so we were determined to do everything to find him.
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"It has taken an incredible amount of work to find him. It's making these people know their time on the run is over.
"It is because I have been surrounded by good, experienced and motivated officers we have achieved what we have. It is not a solo achievement."
A 41-year-old woman was also arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
Gill added: "We are delighted with this arrest and it's taken a lot of hard work to finally reach this point.
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"O'Neill had been wanted for a long time and was particularly difficult to find once we received this fresh piece of intelligence we didn't hesitate to act on it.
"I'm delighted that it paid off and that we've now been able to get justice for the victims of this horrific crime."
Chief Superintendent Rob Griffin, of Nottinghamshire Police, added: "I'd like to commend the excellent work and dogged determination of our officers who went above and beyond in hunting for O'Neill and getting him arrested.
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"It's a shining example of the commitment shown by our officers to ensure criminals are brought to account and justice is delivered to victims of crime.
"Once our officers sank their teeth into this operation they wouldn't let go. Without their tenacity, this fantastic result wouldn't have been possible.
"They left no stone unturned and as a result, O'Neill now, at last, must face the consequences of his actions.
"I'd also like to thank our colleagues at Leicestershire and Lincolnshire for their support during this investigation."
Featured Image Credit: Nottinghamshire Police