A burglar who led officers to his front door after stealing AirPods and other items from people’s homes has been jailed for two years.
Sam Hawkins was caught after the electronic earbuds were tracked to his home address.
In the early hours of April 17, the 37-year-old broke into a family home in Hall Road, Dartford and stole a bag containing children’s passports, a laptop and an iPhone X. He also took an iPad and some AirPods.
The 37-year-old then walked to Joyce Green Lane where he committed a second break-in just three minutes after the first.
CCTV showed Hawkins approaching the property where he stole the keys to a car and a number of electrical items.
He then fled the property with the victim’s vehicle which was later recovered in St John’s Road, Erith.
A friend of the first victim tracked the AirPods to an address in Pembroke Road, Erith.
They confronted Hawkins, recovered the AirPods and called police.
Officers seized the other stolen items from inside his property and he was immediately arrested and taken into custody.
Hawkins was later charged with two counts of burglary.
He pleaded guilty at Woolwich Crown Court and on June 12, he was jailed for two years. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £228.
Investigating officer, Detective Constable Daniel Bister said: “Hawkins not only brazenly committed one burglary, but was not satisfied with his first haul and went straight to another property to steal further items.
“His greed was his downfall and, by stealing expensive AirPods which could be tracked electronically, he incriminated himself and led officers straight to his front door.
“Targeting family homes is a despicable crime and can have a long-lasting impact of victims.
“We will continue to pursue and apprehend those commit these offences and ensure they are brought before the court to answer for their actions.”
