Their spontaneous escape attempt ended a few seconds later, not at the hands of quick-thinking police, but because of an unyielding lamppost. As the handcuffed men raced down the street, they passed on either side of a lamp pole, forgetting they were shackled together.

The three suspects collided in a heap and were quickly subdued by police. Two of the men are facing counts of sexual assault. The third is charged with robbery and possession of stolen property.