A burglar caught red-handed after help from vigilant neighbours has avoided jail.
Richard Taylor was seen breaking into a home in Redford Avenue, Thornton Heath, just after 3.30pm October 20 last year by members of the public, who noted details of his getaway car.
Police were able to trace the vehicle and found the 49-year-old at his home with watches, jewellery and laptops stolen in the burglary.
Taylor, of Loughborough Park, Brixton, pleaded guilty to burglary on November 5 and on Monday was sentenced to 12 months in jail at Croydon Crown Court suspended for 18 months.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Kim Lim said: "This is a great example of the public and police working together that has resulted in a burglar being caught.
"Thanks to the quick thinking of the public, who had seen Taylor acting suspiciously and the swift work of the uniformed officers attending his address, he has been caught whilst still in possession of the items he'd stolen, which have since been returned to the victim."
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