Is this the most brazen thief ever? Moment middle-aged thief used bolt cutters on lock before making off with £1,200 bike
A brazen bike thief is captured on CCTV taking a pair of bolt croppers from a bag, cutting off the lock of a bike and then walking off with the expensive bike.
His shocking theft was captured on CCTV in broad daylight and enabled police to arrest and charge him and today.
Thief Dean Haggerty, 48, was jailed for 12 months and was described by detectives as a prolific thief and a blight on society.
He had previously been convicted of numerous offences including stealing bedding, towels and alcohol from shops.
Dean Haggerty, 48, was caught on CCTV casually taking out a pair of bolt cutters and stealing a bike in Worthing
After cutting the lock the thief then casually walked away from the scenewith the bike
A spokesman for Sussex Police said: ‘This video shows the moment a prolific thief uses bolt cutters to steal a bike which was locked up outside a leisure centre.
‘The footage was captured by Splashpoint in Worthing, west Sussex and it is one of a number of offences Dean Haggerty has been convicted of.
‘The 48-year-old, who is unemployed, of Twyford Gardens, Salvington, west Sussex appeared a judge at Lewes Crown Court where he was jailed for a total of 12 months.’
The offences included: theft of alcohol worth £129 from Sainsbury’s, theft of bedding and towels worth £174 from Home Sense and the theft of a bike worth £1,200 from Brighton Road, Worthing.
He was also found guilty of fraud by false representation, namely used a stolen bank card to buy items, theft of tobacco worth £400 and 15 DVDs from WH Smith and four more bike thefts.
Haggerty quickly withdrew the bolt cutters, cut the lock and put them back in his bag within seconds
Inspector Sharon Sawyer said: ‘Haggerty has been a blight on the community for many, many months and this is evidenced by his persistent offending.
‘We work with the public, local authorities and the business community to prevent and detect incidents of theft and I would like to personally thank everyone who has assisted in our investigation to bring Haggerty to justice.
‘It was imperative that we gathered as much evidence as possible – including statements from victims and witnesses and clear CCTV footage – to present a case to the Crown Prosecution Service.
‘Bike thefts have been a particular issue in Worthing this past year and this case provides some reassurance that one of those thieves has been locked up.
‘We are mindful of the emotional and financial impact of these offences on victims, and I would encourage any victims or witnesses of crimes to continue to report it to us.’
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