THIS is the moment a quivering stalker was found under a bedframe by armed cops after hitting three people while speeding through a city centre.
Joseph Wicks, 27, was arrested and charged with a string of offences including an incident where he struck pedestrians with a car in Colchester, Essex.
Armed police found Joseph Wicks hiding under a bed Credit: Essex Police
Joseph Wicks, 27, was arrested and charged with a string of offences after hitting three people Credit: Essex Police
Footage shows the moment special officers break down a door before Wicks is discovered cowering under a bed.
One armed cop can be heard saying: “Listen Joe, the game is up mate.”
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Police had identified Wicks as the driver of a Fiat 500 which mounted the pavement and hit three people outside a night club in the early hours of November 30 last year.
That morning, he had driven aggressively and dangerously around the city centre, speeding the wrong way down narrow roads and running red lights.
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Footage shows armed police break down a door before discovering Wicks Credit: Essex Police
Wicks was charged with a string of offences including stalking Credit: Essex Police
After he hit the pedestrians, who fortunately suffered no serious injuries, Wicks fled the scene and abandoned his car.
As cops worked to trace his finger prints, Wicks launched a campaign of stalking and harassment against a woman.
He reportedly attended her address on May 8 of this year and acted aggressively, banging on her front door, demanding entry and shouting and swearing.
Wicks returned to his parked van and a man who approached him reported seeing a baseball bat and a handgun in the vehicle.
The thug left the area, but continued to bombard his victim with calls and texts.
Due to the report of a potential firearm, specially trained armed officers from Essex Police Force Support Unit began enquiries at a number of addresses linked to Wicks.
The following day, cops tracked down the van and recovered the baseball bat, but no firearm was found.
On May 11, armed police executed a warrant to arrest Wicks at an address in Colchester.
Multiple people in the home denied seeing the offender, but officers searched the property and found him hiding underneath a bed.
Wicks was arrested and charged with a number of offences, including dangerous driving, stalking and three counts of attempting to cause actual bodily harm.
He admitted to all charges put forward apart from possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, which he denied.
The offender was jailed for four years and six months at Ipswich Crown Court on Friday July 31, and disqualified from driving for two years and six months.
Inspector Tom Stokes, of Force Support Unit, said: “In this case, officers were tasked with locating and arresting a man linked to a series of serious offences, including dangerous driving which put members of the public at risk and a report involving what was believed to be a firearm.
“When information suggests there may be a weapon involved, we must plan carefully and act decisively.
“The professionalism shown by the officers involved meant they were able to safely enter the address, carry out a thorough search and locate Wicks despite efforts to conceal himself.
“Their actions ensured a high-harm offender was brought before the courts and held accountable for his actions.”
