Man arrested over suspected role in Hither Green burglary

A man suspected of being an accomplice in a burglary in which one of the intruders was stabbed to death earlier this month has been arrested, police have said.

Billy Jeeves, 28, who had been on the run since the incident on Wednesday 4 April, was tracked to northern Kent and arrested on suspicion of two counts of burglary, theft and possession of a controlled substance at about 5.30pm on Friday.

Henry Vincent, 37, was killed during the incident in Hither Green, southeast London, after a struggle broke out between him and the 78-year-old homeowner, Richard Osborn-Brooks. The latter was arrested over the death, but released and told he would face no further action shortly afterwards.

Following the incident, police appealed for information about an alleged accomplice and said he may have escaped in a white van. The vehicle was found burned out on the evening of Saturday 7 April in Orpington.

Jeeves was detained by officers from the Metropolitan police’s homicide and major crime command, with support from officers from the territorial support group and Kent police officers. He was taken into custody at a Kent station.

Scotland Yard said it was not looking for anyone else in connection with this investigation, though they stressed that inquiries would continue.

The incident was the subject of national attention and tempers were frayed when friends and family of Vincent sought to mark the site of his death with flowers and other tributes.

Some people repeatedly tore down the monuments, only for them to be replaced soon afterwards. The tensions led police to step in to appeal for calm.

“I do not want anyone to feel intimidated or that they are not being allowed to respond in a dignified way to a tragic death,” said Ch Supt Simon Dobinson.

“We would urge members of the public to respect the wishes of those who choose to place flowers and other tributes in the area. We would also request those placing tributes or visiting the area to behave in a responsible manner so as not to disrupt the local community.”