A bungling watch thief who was caught after he was spotted by police wearing a distinctive bright neon T-shirt while eating in a chip shop has been jailed.
James Wall stole Gucci and Cartier watches, a diamond ring and foreign currency during a burglary at a home in Southborough, Tunbridge Wells, at around 5.45pm on 13 December, Kent Police said.
Wall, of Beverston Gardens in Bristol, Somerset, pleaded guilty to burglary at Maidstone Crown Court on Wednesday and was sentenced to two years’ in prison.
Police were called when he verbally abused a witness who challenged his reason for being in the area, the force said.
The 20-year-old was driven away from the scene in a silver Vauxhall Insignia, but patrols spotted the car within an hour.
The vehicle was seen reaching speeds of almost 100mph along the hard shoulder before it was brought to a halt near a slip road on the A2 near Wilmington, where the driver had attempted to travel the wrong way on the carriageway, police said.
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A 38-year-old man was arrested at the scene in connection with driving offences and has been released pending further investigation. However, Wall had already fled and a dog handler was deployed to find him.
He was tracked down to a chip shop near Bexley where he was recognised due to his neon-coloured T-shirt, which he was wearing under a tracksuit.
Officers found and arrested him while he was eating a portion of fish and chips with an energy drink as he waited for staff behind the counter to charge his phone.
The device was seized and digital forensic analysis placed Wall at the scene of the crime, police said.
Police subsequently found two jewellery boxes, two false vehicle registration plates and a jewellery cleaning cloth inside the abandoned vehicle.
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Detective Constable Celia King said: “Despite being confronted with a plethora of evidence proving he was responsible for the burglary, Wall initially refused to accept liability and laughed while watching footage from the pursuit.
“The judge took into consideration the high levels of planning involved in the burglary.
“As a result, Wall was handed an immediate custodial sentence.”
