Moment hero customer foils suspected shoplifter by taking him down with shopping trolley

A suspected shoplifter was caught after a quick-thinking customer helped take him down – using a shopping trolley.

Officers from the Peachtree City Police Department in Georgia chased the suspect into a Walmart car park where a bystander shoved the cart into him, causing him to fall to the floor.

An officer is then seen jumping to the ground to apprehend the suspect.

The unidentified man was thanked by police for the “impeccable timing” of his actions.

The unidentified man was thanked by police for the “impeccable timing” of his actions (PA)

But officers stressed that they did not encourage the public to intervene.

The suspect was treated at the scene by paramedics but sustained no injuries.

The suspected shoplifter was knocked down in the Walmart car park (via REUTERS)

A spokesperson for the department told a local news station the incident was the first of its kind that he had seen 13 years of police work.

Writing online, Peachtree City Police and Fire said: “While we are eternally grateful for this citizen’s quick thinking and impeccable timing, we never encourage anybody to intervene in a police situation.

A police officer is seen on the suspect's tail (PA)

“If the decision is made to do so, please consider the safety of yourself and all those around you as a priority."