By Eric King
Criminals in Bedford are on edge after a a video bell captured the tattoo of a burglar who was subsequently jailed.
It follows the identification of a burglar through his tattoo after being recorded on video doorbells will spend two years in prison. The Eye Of Media.Com has heard that prolific burglars in the Bedford area have been sending warnings to their crooked pals with tattoos to be mindful of the risk of being detected because of their tattoos.
Youths in their early 20’s were heard sounding warnings to others at the King Arms pub in Bedfordshire where the story of career criminal Christopher South was discussed. Unbeknown to them, the female cousin of a writer from this publication was listening to the conversation on Monday and reported it to us for investigating. One of the youths was heard saying : ”tatoos can really give you way when committing crime. I’ve been telling all the boys that they must wear clothes to cover their arms fully if they have any tattoos.
Contact with Bedforshire police revealed that a Christopher South had truly been caught through his tattoo after committing an offence last Sarturday.
Christopher South, 30, of The Grove, Luton, was sentenced last Friday at Luton Crown Court after pleading guilty to burglary, attempted burglary and theft of a motor vehicle.
On 23 September, the crook approached a property on Fairfax Avenue, Luton, and attempted to gain access. He was unsuccessful so made another attempt on a second property in Third Avenue, where he did gain entry and stole a set of car keys, and subsequently a car, a phone, a Ralph Lauren wallet and a grey Superdry coat.
The victim of the first incident was told by a neighbour that a man had tried to get into her house. She checked footage from her Ring doorbell, where she saw a man attempting to gain entry to the property using a chisel.
Although the thief hid the lower part of his face, a tattoo on his right hand could be seen. The footage was submitted to police. South was further identified after the victim of the burglary in Fairfax Avenue also examined footage from her Ring doorbell following the incident. A man, wearing exactly the same clothing as seen in the footage from Fairfax Avenue, was captured on video breaking into the house.
South was identified as the potential offender, and officers subsequently arrested him. On searching his home address, none of the stolen property or the clothing worn in the footage was recovered.
However, in custody detectives saw his tattoo and found that it matched the tattoo of the man seen on the doorbell footage.
In a statement submitted to the court, which was taken shortly after the incident, one of his victims said: “It has been just over two weeks since this has happened and it has left me feeling shaken. After it happened we were double locking the door even if people were in the house as we were worried. I still worry that this could happen again. I should be able to feel safe in my home.”
Detective Constable Jason Wheeler, investigating, said: “I am pleased another burglar is off the streets of Bedfordshire, and I hope this result has helped his victims feel safe again.
“I’m glad South will spend time behind bars and I hope that he spends his time reflecting on his actions. Not only can video doorbells be a good deterrent against potential burglars, but as we have seen in this case, they are also incredible helpful in identifying a burglar.
“Burglary is a key priority for the force and our dedicated unit dealing with burglary offences, Operation Maze, continues to target those individuals who think this brazen behaviour in Bedfordshire is acceptable.”
Image: Bedforshire Police