A SUSPECTED shoplifter who fled police and hid in a loft was arrested after he fell through the ceiling.

Andrew Innes allegedly took a DVD player from Sainsbury's, High Street, Penge, and but ran to nearby Frant Close after he was chased by staff.

Police found him hiding in a back garden but he escaped to a house in Franklin Road.

Police believed he was hiding in the loft of the property and sent a dog up to chase him out but Innes fell through the ceiling.

He was arrested and charged with theft and two counts of assault on police officers with intent to resist arrest.

He was due to appear before Bromley magistrates on Monday, January 9 but no details were available at the time of going to press. The dog was unharmed.