Question

It took a long time but at ... the thieves were caught by the police​

Answer 1

At least,а если можно поменять предлог in the end тоже подходит

Answer 2

It took a long time, but eventually, the thieves were caught by the police. The process of catching the thieves may have involved a series of investigations, surveillance, and gathering of evidence. The police may have received tips from witnesses or used various techniques to track down the criminals.

Once the thieves were identified, the police would have likely planned and executed a strategy to apprehend them. This could have included coordinating with other law enforcement agencies, setting up surveillance operations, or conducting undercover work. The police may have also obtained search warrants to gather additional evidence.

When the time was right, the police would have made their move to arrest the thieves. This could have involved a raid on their location or a carefully planned operation to apprehend them in a public place. The goal would have been to capture the suspects without endangering the public or the officers involved.

Once the thieves were caught, they would have been taken into custody and brought to the police station for questioning. The police would have then conducted further investigations to gather more evidence against them. This could have involved interviewing the suspects, analyzing seized items, or conducting forensic examinations.

After gathering sufficient evidence, the police would have presented their case to the relevant authorities, such as prosecutors or judges. The thieves would have then faced legal proceedings, including court hearings and potentially a trial. If found guilty, they would have been sentenced accordingly, which could involve imprisonment, fines, or other penalties.

Overall, catching the thieves would have been a result of diligent police work, collaboration, and the use of various investigative techniques. It is a testament to the dedication and professionalism of law enforcement agencies in ensuring the safety and security of the community.