A violent drug dealer is behind bars after a high-speed police response and help from courageous bystanders led to his arrest in under five minutes. Mario Pascoal has been sentenced to two years and nine months in prison following a chaotic incident in Maidstone town centre on the evening of 27 December 2025.
The emergency unfolded at 8:43 pm when Kent Police received multiple reports of a man armed with a knife chasing someone down the High Street. Although Pascoal had already fled by the time patrols arrived, control room staff quickly reviewed CCTV footage to track his escape route and relay his location to officers on the ground.
The pursuit took a decisive turn when a brave member of the public, who had been chasing the offender himself, signaled to the responding officers. He directed them toward the Broadway underpass, where police engaged in a foot chase and eventually deployed a taser to subdue Pascoal.
Just before his arrest at 8:47 pm—a mere four minutes after the initial 999 call—Pascoal was seen discarding a weapon and a duffle bag into the river. Officers managed to retrieve the bag using a broom, discovering a haul of Class A and Class B drugs, cash, and mobile phones which revealed a number of messages consistent with drug supply.
Mario Pascoal, 35, from Thorton Heath, London was taken into custody and charged.
He pleaded guilty and on Thursday 26 March 2026, was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court to supplying class A drugs, affray, possession of an offensive weapon and possession with intent to supply class B drugs.
Investigating officer PC Kane Tyler said:
‘This offender was tracked down and arrested less than five minutes after the initial 999 report was made, following a relentless pursuit from officers as well as invaluable help from members of the public.
‘Whilst we would never encourage people to put themselves in danger and would always advise people to keep safe and call 999, we want to thank the people who tried to intervene.
‘In particular, the man who chased after the offender and alerted officers to his whereabouts showed enormous courage and was immensely helpful in officers arresting Pascoal so quickly.
‘We’d also like to thank the witnesses who sent us the footage they had taken at the scene. This proved to be crucial evidence and left no doubt to the violent actions of Pascoal.’