Bungling burglar caught red-handed having 3am stroll … carrying a TV

Police arrested a suspected burglar in just 14 minutes after he bumped into cops on an abandoned street at 3am … hauling a large television set. Cheshire Police said officers in Runcorn were alerted at 2.39am last Sunday 15th June to reports of suspicious activity in the Manor Fell area of the town.

The caller “reported that they spotted an unknown man on ring doorbell footage trying to gain access to his property; fiddling with a letterbox and attempting to open their car that was parked nearby on their drive.” And when officers arrived within 14 minutes of the first call they spotted a man wandering down the darkened road carrying a “large television in his arms”.

A 26 year-old man, of Rochdale, Greater Manchester, was arrested on suspicion of burglary and vehicle interference. He has since been released on conditional bail.

Detective Inspector Alison White, of Cheshire Police, said: “The swift attendance of our colleagues in Response and Roads and Crime were instrumental in quite literally catching this burglar with his hands full and stopping him in making off with someone else’s property.

“So I would like to thank all those involved securing this arrest for their utmost professionalism and punctuality in getting to the scene so quickly.

“Burglary is a priority for us as we understand the impact it has, whether it’s someone’s home or someone’s livelihood.

“The effect this type of crime has on the victims and the local community should not be underestimated so we will continue to make every effort to find those responsible and bring them to justice.”

A Cheshire Police statement read: “Swift action taken by northern Response and Roads and Crime officers resulted in a man being arrested within 14 minutes of being spotted trying door and car handles in the town.

“The caller reported that they spotted an unknown man on ring doorbell footage trying to gain access to his property; fiddling with a letterbox and attempting to open their car that was parked nearby on their drive.

“It was also reported that the man was seen acting similarly at a neighbour’s address.

“Officers from the Roads and Crime Unit and local Response team were deployed to the scene and, just 14 minutes later, a 26-year-old man from Rochdale, was seen attempting to flee the scene on foot carrying a large television in his arms that was believed to have been stolen.”