A MAN tried to hide in bushes from police after attempting to steal items belonging to a resident at a Bournemouth retirement home.

Matthew Simon Crouch, aged 46, was jailed for two years at Bournemouth Crown Court on Monday, August 8, for burglary after pleading guilty to a previous hearing.

Crouch entered the victim's flat in Belle Vue Road when he was spotted by a resident at 4pm on Wednesday, March 16. 

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The resident alerted the victim that a man, who was picking up a bag from the floor, was in her flat.

The victim confronted the man to say the bag was hers and told him to empty his pockets when he removed a pearl necklace and wallet from his clothing belonging to the victim.

The incident was reported to police and officers took a description of the man from a witness.

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When officers drove past, Crouch tried to hide in the bushes and when he attempted to leave the area in the direction of Tuckton, he was arrested.

Investigations Officer Max Surman, of Dorset Police, said: “Crouch entered the address of elderly residents in broad daylight and attempted to steal their belongings.

“Thankfully, he was stopped and the items were recovered by the residents. I would like to praise them for their incredible bravery shown during the incident.

“I would also like to pay tribute to the witness who provided an important description, which subsequently led to his arrest.

“I hope this case demonstrates that we take incidents of this nature seriously and will do all we can to relentlessly pursue offenders and bring them before the court.”

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