The great race
Dramatic pictures were taken showing the moment police collared an alleged burglar who attempted a daring triathlon-style escape yesterday morning.
The man led detectives on a two-hour chase through Parramatta Park before he was tackled in a park near Gelling St about 10am.
When police went to his Martyn St unit about 8am in relation to a string of break-ins, he allegedly escaped by jumping from a first-storey balcony into a swimming pool.
"He jumped into the pool, got out and ran away," Cairns CIB acting Det Sen-Sgt Jason Chetham said.
The man returned to his unit a short time later and retrieved some of his belongings and a bicycle before riding off.
Police patrolled the area and spotted him riding on Gelling St about two hours later.
The man allegedly got off his bike and ran into parkland with officers in hot pursuit.
Police tackled him following a short chase and arrested him.
"He was in possession of some property that we will be investigating," acting Det Sen-Sgt Chetham said.
The man was taken to the city's watchhouse and later charged with several break and enter offences committed in Cairns and Townsville.
He was held in custody overnight to appear in Cairns Magistrates' Court today.
Police are investigating several other unrelated break and enters around Cairns in the past week.
Many occurred because of unlocked doors and windows, prompting a warning for residents to properly secure their homes.
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Gotcha: Police arrest the alleged burglar after a two-hour chase around the streets of Cairns in which he leapt off a balcony into a pool before fleeing on foot and a bicycle.
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