Hartlepool burglar caught by police drone after stealing car

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 30 Oct, 00:33 · Archive

A burglar was arrested minutes after stealing a car from a Hartlepool home, tracked by a police drone operator.

Shaun Wilson, 38, broke into a house on Chatham Road in Hartlepool on 19 June while the occupant was upstairs with his dog. He entered through an unlocked patio door and stole a PlayStation 5, controllers and a Renault Kadjar key fob. The homeowner heard two men laughing outside and discovered his car had gone. He called the police and the drone operator directed officers to the vehicle, which was parked on the Oakesway Industrial Estate.

Wilson was found crouching by the rear number plate, apparently trying to remove it. A female passenger, Leanne Garthwaite, 35, fled the car, throwing the PlayStation away and climbing over a fence. She was later fined for handling stolen goods and for allowing herself to be carried in a vehicle knowing it had been taken without the owner's consent.

Wilson admitted burglary, theft of a motor vehicle, driving without insurance, handling stolen goods and possession of a class C drug. He has previous convictions for burglaries and has been jailed.

How it is being reported

• Hartlepool car thief tracked by police drone after operator noticed missing number plateShaun Wilson stole the key fob from a Hartlepool home before driving off in the family's carTeessideLive · 30 Oct, 00:01
• Car thief arrested minutes after Hartlepool burglary thanks to Cleveland Police droneA burglar who made off with a family’s car and other possessions while the occupant was at home has been jailed.Hartlepool Mail · 29 Oct, 16:53

In this story: Shaun Wilson · Leanne Garthwaite · Hartlepool · Cleveland Police · Teesside Crown Court

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log