Two men have been arrested in St Albans after Hertfordshire police found a foil-lined bag and a bag of pliers.
The incident took place in the city's The Maltings shopping area, at around 1.50pm on Wednesday (July 5).
Officers had spotted the two individuals "acting suspiciously" in a car on Chequer Street.
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As Hertfordshire police consulted with CCTV operators from St Albans City & District Council, superintendent Townsend - on his final day of duty before retiring - followed the men into The Maltings.
Both individuals were subsequently arrested on suspicion of going equipped for theft.
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A spokesperson for Hertfordshire Constabulary said: "On his last day on duty before retiring, superintendent Ken Townsend returned to St Albans, where he was previously a Chief Inspector - not to say goodbye to colleagues, but to help the Safer Neighbourhood Team arrest two men on suspicious of going equipped."
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