Where They Belong: Burglars Behind Bars

Two burglars, arrested after they were spotted breaking into a North London basement flat, have been caged.

Two crowbars and a screwdriver, used for forcing entry into residential addresses, were seized by police and their nearby getaway car was full of stolen loot.

Jobless John Pitkin, 48, (pic.top) of Fairbourne Road, Tottenham received thirty months imprisonment and jobless Richard Campbell, 48, (pic.bottom) of Green Lanes, Hornsey received thirty-six months.

Pitkin pleaded guilty at Wood Green Crown Court to burgling and attempting to burgle two flats in Oakfield Road, Finsbury Park on August 16, last year and going equipped for burglary.

Campbell pleaded guilty on the first day of his trial to burgling the same flat Pitkin admitted breaking into.

Police were called at 2.00pm by a member of the public reporting two men trying to break in through the window of a basement flat.

Officers from Haringey's Priority Crime Team arrived at the scene within minutes and searched the area for the suspects.

Nearby, in the driveway of an address in Albany Road, officers spotted two men, Pitkin and Campbell, matching the descriptions provided and stopped and searched them. 



Pitkin was found in possession of two crowbars, a screwdriver and a car key.

The car was found parked nearby and searched where police found property including electrical goods (mobile phone, photographic equipment, laptop), tobacco, clothing and toiletries.

This was identified as having been stolen in a burglary at a flat just moments before.



Campbell was found in possession of foreign currency and two mobile smart phones, also identified as having been stolen in the burglary at the flat.

Forensic officers found footwear marks at the scene of the burglary matching the trainers worn by both men.

Tool marks at the point of entry resembled that of a crowbar and a flat headed screwdriver, as found on Pitkin, and glove marks were found around the edge of the victim's television where somebody had attempted to move it.

Both suspects were in possession of woolly gloves at the time of arrest.



Detective Chief Superintendent Sandra Looby, Borough commander for Haringey, said: "Two burglars have been taken off our streets as the result of a 999 call from an alert member of the public and the subsequent police response. 



"Police officers responding to the call stopped the right men and obtained good early evidence.

“This, together with the findings of our forensic officers, and the work of our detectives to prepare a solid case against them, led both men to realise they had no option but to plead guilty. 



"Ultimately we are grateful to the member of the public who made that call to police and enabled us to provide a response that resulted in these convictions and contributed to making their neighbourhood safer."



Investigating officer, Detective Constable Warren Ingrey, said: "These convictions show the continued pressure police in Haringey are putting on those who commit burglary and should reassure residents of our total commitment to bringing offenders to justice."