Village store burglar caught on remote security system, court told

A burglar who broke into a village store was found red handed in a car with the till float and a charity box.
Crown CourtCrown Court
Crown Court

Benjamin Anthony Peter, 18, of Whitefield Meadow, Bamber Bridge, Preston, was foiled because police and staff had been alerted virtually straight away by a remote security system which alerted the shopkeeper to the break in, Preston Crown Court heard.

Peter broke into the Higher Walton Village Store, Higher Walton, overnight on April 20 and stole a cash till drawer containing a £200 float.

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He is beginning an eight month jail term imposed by Recorder Mukhtar Hussain QC after pleading guilty to burglary.

Prosecuting, Hanifa Patel said the store owner Hiren Patel had locked up as usual at 9pm but at 3.22am on April 20 he was awoken by a call from a custodian manager at a firm in charge of the security system saying the alarm had been activated.

She added: “ Mr Patel went to the computer and looked at the CCTV inside the store to see if he could see anything.

“He immediately saw a torch being lit but then saw a police officer and realised they had arrived almost straight away.

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“When he arrived a short time later he noticed there was a crowbar placed on the till counter and he assumed it was used to force open the door.

“The till had quite clearly been forced open and in his words there were wires hanging all over the place.

“It became apparent the offenders were alarmed when the alarm activated and they made off without taking further items from the store.”

The court heard a police officer carrying out an area search spotted a black Vauxhall Vectra on Kittlingborne Brow. The vehicle appeared to be steamed up.

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“The officer shone a torch into the vehicle. When he opened the door he saw the defendant slumped down.

“A search revealed a yellow handled axe and rounders bat.

“ The boot was searched and they found a charity box and a black till drawer.”

Peter gave no comment in interview but accepted responsibility in a statement.