A group of suspected burglars abandoned their vehicle just a short distance from Lord Sugar’s luxury residence as they were being chased by police on Wednesday night.
The billionaire host of BBC One’s show The Apprentice reportedly was present at his home during this intense incident near his property on the same street.
The police chase happened after multiple reports of break-ins and attempted burglaries around Loughton and Chigwell in Essex.
Police officers quickly arrived at the latest report of ‘a burglary in progress’ in Chigwell, only to discover a vehicle fleeing the scene.
They soon began to chase a car on a nearby road, renowned for its high-value properties and preferred by numerous wealthy individuals.
The car apparently skidded to a halt moments later in a gateway close to the home of billionaire business tycoon Lord Sugar, 78, and his wife Ann.
The occupants of the vehicle are thought to have run off on foot moments before police arrived and found the car abandoned.
Officers later arrested an 18-year-old man from Northamptonshire on suspicion of burglary after a search of the area on Wednesday night.
A group of suspected burglars abandoned their car just a short distance from Lord Sugar’s luxury residence as they were pursued by police on Wednesday night
A spokesperson for Lord Sugar confirmed he was at home at the time of the incident
Lord Sugar, alongside his wife whom he married in 1968, has resided in the area since 1981. They originally owned a house valued at £8.5 million, setting on ten acres with amenities like a swimming pool and tennis court.
But the couple are said to have downsized and lived more recently in a smaller house around the corner which they bought for £2.25million in January 2021.
At least two of their three adult children are also believed to live nearby.
A video taken by a nearby neighbour showed the abandoned suspect car parked at right angles in the driveway of a property, surrounded by police cars with blue lights flashing.
Officers later set up road blocks and diverted traffic while the search for suspected burglars in the area was carried out.
The neighbour reported that skid marks had also been seen on the road where the car driven by the suspects had screeched to a halt.
It is believed the car came to a stop without crashing into any gates or boundary wall.
One neighbour who spoke to Daily Mail told how one of the properties targeted was a boarding house for international students at the nearby Chigwell School, a co-ed independent school.
Officers rushed to the scene of the last report of ‘a burglary in progress’ in Chigwell and arrived to find a vehicle had just made off from the scene – before it was then dumped
They said a dozen female boarders in Year 12, understood to be Chinese and Polish nationals, were left terrified and ‘in tears’ after a male burglar entered their house.
‘The girls all crammed into one room and hid there while he rifled through their cupboards, before stealing money and jewellery.
‘Then he suddenly left the property and began running from garden to garden, discarding pieces of clothing as he went.’
Daily Mail has contacted Chigwell School for comment.
A spokesperson for Lord Sugar confirmed he was at home at the time of the incident which happened ‘a few doors down’ from his property.
His family lost a planning battle in 2022 to demolish his old mansion and replace it with a new one complete with a yoga studio, hair and make-up salon and cocktail bar.
Planning chiefs at Epping Forest District Council refused consent after ruling that the proposed new property was too big and against Green Belt development rules.
Chigwell Parish Council also opposed the plans which were submitted by his daughter Louise. Parish councillors described them as ‘inappropriate’ and an ‘over-development’ of the area.
Lord Sugar had been given consent in March 2020 to knock down his house which dates back to 1908 and build two new homes in its place.
Lord Sugar has lived in the area since 1981, originally in a house worth £8.5million
The BBC Apprentice tycoon has been in a battle with the local council over his housing plans
The new application was submitted to build a single new house on the plot along with a garage block with four bedrooms as staff accommodation above.
An architect drawing showed that the new house would also have had an entertainment hall, a TV room, and spacious dining room as well as a room dedicated to Lord Sugar’s Bernedoodle dog called Winston, a cross between a poodle and a Bernese Mountain Dog.
The tough talking tycoon lost yet another battle with his local council in 2023 after his plan to build a new gated entrance an driveway into his old mansion was thrown out.
Council officials ruled that the plan represented an ‘inappropriate’ and ‘harmful’ intrusion on Metropolitan Green Belt land.
Lord Sugar had better news last year when the council approved plans, submitted by his daughter, to build a new seven block garage with EV chargers at his old home.
An Essex Police spokesperson said: ‘Officers responding to several reports of burglary and attempted burglary in the Loughton and Chigwell areas have made an arrest and are progressing enquiries.
‘Following the latest of these calls, reporting a burglary in progress at an address in Chigwell, at around 7.25pm on Wednesday 8 October, officers were swiftly in attendance.
‘We were told a vehicle had made off from the scene. Officers started following a vehicle which was found abandoned nearby a short time later.
‘One suspect was arrested after an area search. An 18-year-old man, from Northamptonshire, remains in custody for questioning on suspicion of burglary. Our enquiries are ongoing.
‘We treat burglary as a force priority and an investigation is progressing led by CID detectives.’
Anyone with information is asked to contact Essex Police by calling 101, by submitting a report on the force’s website or using its online Live Chat service.
