Thief who told police ‘catch me if you can’ found out they could because they did

A man who taunted police while on the run has been jailed for a spate of motorcycle thefts. 

Mark Fay, 29, of Longsight, Greater Manchester, was arrested in September after he’d spent a period on the run.

During this time he posted several social media videos taunting authorities and captioned ‘Catch Me If You Can.’

At one point the fugitive even contacted police to boast of his success at evading capture. 

Now he is facing a sentence of 30 months in prison after being found guilty on eight counts of motor vehicle offences and three counts of handling stolen goods. 

Police constable Davies, of the force’s Central Divisional Tasking Team, said: ‘Fay had a clear set-up, he planned the offences carefully. 

‘It was a lengthy investigation by the team into a clearly organised spate of thefts.

‘This clearly showcases the lengths we take in our investigations – no matter how organised or sophisticated the group or individual may be, we will thoroughly investigate and put offenders away in jail.

‘And our message to criminals is we can catch you, we will catch you and we will endeavour to catch all those who threaten the safety of our neighbourhoods in Greater Manchester.’

Greater Manchester Police explained Fay was arrested as part of Operation Acquire.

It said: ‘Whilst he was wanted by police, Fay contacted officers and told them to ‘catch me if you can’.

“The taunting words were mirrored in the captions of the videos he posted on social media which were found by officers tasked with locating him.

“A lengthy investigation by GMP’s Central Neighbourhood Crime Team and District Tasking Team was launched, and in September 2023, Fay’s goading words became meaningless, as he was indeed caught, arrested, and charged.

“He was remanded into custody where he will now remain as he serves his jail sentence.”

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