A bungled burglary attempt in Hialeah, Florida, took a comical turn when a 26-year-old man found himself trapped inside a landscaping van he was trying to rob. Dean Young allegedly targeted the vehicle on Wednesday, but his plans quickly unraveled as he became locked inside, leading to a panicked scene captured on doorbell surveillance footage.
The Hilarious Capture on Camera
Resident Nercy Toledo's Ring camera recorded the entire incident, which began with Young parking his sedan across the street from the landscaper's truck. Clad in neon green clothing, he dashed toward the van and climbed inside, presumably to steal equipment. However, in a twist of fate, the landscaper unknowingly locked all the doors, including the rear, trapping Young inside.
Panic and Pleas for Help
The footage shows Young's desperate attempts to escape, as he wailed, "Help me, help me!" and screamed, "I'm inside!" while punching and kicking the vehicle's interior. He even claimed, "I can't breathe," as the commotion drew the attention of the landscaper and another worker, who cautiously approached the van to investigate.
Toledo recounted the events to WSVN, explaining, "[Young's] car pulls up in the middle of the street, [he] gets into the truck, tries to steal his truck, but unfortunately the gentleman got locked in. The owner of the truck went to lock his vehicle, but that lock locks all the doors, even in the back. So, what happened is he locked him in."
Police Response and Arrest
The no-nonsense landscaper kept Young confined until Hialeah police arrived on the scene. Toledo noted that officers were delighted with the easy arrest, telling her, "The Hialeah Police Department was really happy ‘cause this is incredible. This is the best arrest they’ve ever made." Surveillance video also captured the moment officers escorted the failed burglar to a patrol car.
Previous Criminal History
Records obtained by Daily Mail reveal that Young was already out on bail from a prior burglary case, where he allegedly stole a lawn edger and weed-whacker. In this latest incident, he initially told police a fabricated story, claiming he was chased by a dog while distributing business cards and sought refuge in the van for safety. However, the surveillance footage clearly contradicted his account.
Community Reaction and Safety Concerns
Toledo expressed mixed feelings about the ordeal, stating, "It's kind of scary because, you know, I live here and the door can be left open and anyone can just walk in. It's a big avenue, it's very dangerous, so we have to keep our doors locked more often." Despite the seriousness of the crime, she found humor in the situation, adding, "I think it’s funny. It’s a dumb crook, I guess now he’s watching the news and inside the jail."
Young now faces charges of burglary and criminal mischief and is currently held in jail. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of security measures, while also providing a lighthearted example of a criminal's plans going awry in the most embarrassing fashion.
