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In slapstick comedy as in law enforcement, timing is everything.

Just ask the bystander who intervened in a police chase in the UK this past Saturday – by sticking out his foot to comically trip up a fleeing suspect.

According to a press release from the Kingston Police department, police were called to investigate reports of two men seen selling drugs around midnight on Clarence Street.

When officers tried to stop one of the men he took off on foot, with police officers in close pursuit.

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CCTV cameras captured what happened a short time later, as the suspect ran past a man walking hand-in-hand with a female companion.

With an almost casual demeanor, the man sticks out a foot – and sends the fleeing suspect tumbling to the street, where police pounce on him seconds later.

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In gratitude, Kingston Police posted the video to their Facebook and Twitter channels to thank the man, who they declined to identify.

“A number of Kingston Officers were chasing a suspect through the town centre over the weekend when they received some unexpected assistance from a member of the public,” the post read. “Thank you for helping them.” Tweet This

The video generated considerable praise for the unknown bystander after it was posted online.

A spokesperson for Scotland Yard told The Daily Telegraph that police arrested the suspect, a 17-year-old charged with possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply.