Burglar, 58, hides under pile of coats in ‘game of cat and mouse’ | UK | News
Here’s when the police found it thief He hides under a pile of coats to avoid being caught. Officers were searching a house in Rufford Close, Hucknall, Nottinghamshire, when they heard a rustling noise on October 30 last year.
The sound led them to a pile of coats, where they found 58-year-old Carl Thomas trying to hide. Police were looking for Thomas after he burgled one property and tried to break into another. Det Sergeant Adam Penn Nottinghamshire Police He said: “Carl Thomas’ discovery showcased the cat and mouse game our officers often have to play with criminals.
“Even when we managed to locate him – down to the room he was in – Thomas still did his best to hide under a pile of coats.
“Despite his best efforts, his hideout quickly fell apart and we eventually managed to charge him with a number of offenses, including theft.”
Nottinghamshire Police said Thomas, of Montague Road, Hucknall, was arrested on suspicion of burglary after he was removed from the pile.
A police officer can be heard telling him to “get out now” and show the police his hands.
The video shows Thomas telling officers that he “didn’t steal” after being pulled to his feet by officers.
But on October 3 he stole a handbag during a break at another house in the town and CCTV showed him trying to make a purchase from a store using the bank card stolen from the bag.
Thomas also tried to break into the garage of another property in Hucknall on September 14, according to Nottinghamshire Police.
Officers identified Thomas from CCTV footage of these break-ins, which led to him being found under a pile of clothes.
Thomas pleaded guilty to theft, attempted theft and fraud by false representation at Nottingham Crown Court in January.
Last Friday (March 20), he was sentenced to 876 days (approximately two years and four months) in prison at the same court.
Det Sgt Penn said: “We were really pleased to see that the strength of our case led Thomas to admit what he had done, but it was also great to see him subsequently jailed for his actions.”
