This is the moment armed police chasing the killer of nine-year-old Lillia Valutyte arrested a man yesterday following a dramatic chase.
At least 20 cops converged on an address within walking distance of where the little girl was stabbed to death.
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But the man they tried to detain fled when they arrived – sparking a chase through Boston Gardens, Lincs, which ended when he was tracked down by a police drone.
A witness, antiques dealer Nedas Mikelionis, 24, told The Sun on Sunday: “The street was suddenly filled with police running around.
“Five police cars arrived and at least 20 officers piled in, some of whom were armed.
“The guy they were looking for fled and the police came out of the house they had been in and jumped into their cars to chase them.
“Looks like he ran into a back garden and then tried to escape into a park.
“But I could see a drone hovering overhead the whole time, which must have guided the police to it.”
Harry Potter fan Lillia was playing with a hoop with her five-year-old sister outside a cafe when she was stabbed. Their mother, recruiting boss Lina Savicke, 35, was working on a laptop inside.
Yesterday’s arrest was made hours after a call for help as hundreds of cops combed the area around the crime scene.
Police are said to have acted on a tip when they arrived in Tunnard Street, Boston at around 2.40pm yesterday.
The thin, unshaven suspect fled through a garden, emerging from an adjacent property in Thorold St, where he was caught 200 yards from the scene of Thursday’s murder.
Dressed in a black t-shirt, black Adidas tracksuit bottoms and trainers, he was pictured being put into a police cruiser in handcuffs at 2.46pm.
Police said they weren’t looking for anyone else.
Another eyewitness told The Sun on Sunday: ‘Locals say the guy arrested is from Eastern Europe and the murder might have something to do with some sort of feud.’
Boston has one of the highest proportions of migrants from Eastern Europe – around 11% – and is also plagued by gang crime.
Police are believed to be investigating a theory the killing may have been a vendetta attack for unpaid wages – and Lillia’s mother may have already been threatened.
Tributes including Harry Potter items were left at the scene.
School friend Tia Mills, nine, wrote: ‘You were the best friend. I hope you are now with the angels in a better place. You probably watch Harry Potter.
Two other men arrested in an earlier raid were released after questioning without further investigation.
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