Crime-fighting llamas catch thief and make heroic ‘citizen’s arrest’

A would-be thief’s escape was thwarted by an unlikely force: a herd of vigilant llamas. 

The incident occurred on Monday evening in South Normanton, Derbyshire, United Kingdom, after a man allegedly stole tobacco from a woman and fled into nearby farmland.

The suspect jumped a fence onto a farm off Carnfield Hill, where he was immediately confronted by eight llamas. The animals, known for their protective instincts, chased the intruder across the field before surrounding him and blocking his escape.

Farm owners Heidi Price and Graham Oliver were alerted by the distinctive warning cry of their animals. “This was after dusk,” Heidi explained. “Llamas don’t like people entering their personal space after dusk. Our llamas galloped over to him and surrounded him. They literally made a circle around him, and then started releasing their warning cry, which sounds like an old man laughing.”

Her partner, Graham, ran out to find the man “surrounded by llamas in the middle of the field.” According to Heidi, the intruder “looked absolutely terrified,” a sentiment heightened when the farm dog also became vocal at his feet. Graham then led the man back to the fence line where police were waiting.

Heidi expressed pride in her herd’s conduct, noting, “When all this was happening, they didn’t spit onto anyone so they kept good manners, even when faced with adversity.” She rescued the llamas a decade ago from a closing farm where they faced euthanization.

Derbyshire Police confirmed the arrest. A spokesperson stated, “A man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of theft and has been released on police bail.” The llamas’ intervention provided a successful, if unconventional, citizen’s arrest until officers could take the suspect into custody.