A would-be thief's clumsy attempt at a burglary in London has been compared to a scene from the classic film 'Home Alone' after he accidentally ripped a door handle clean off during a bungled entry.
A Comedy of Errors Caught on Camera
The unfortunate incident, which was captured on CCTV, took place on 4 December. Muhedur Khan, 45, was filmed attempting to force his way into a building. His efforts were in vain, however, when the door handle he was wrestling with broke off entirely, foiling his plans.
Socked and Successful: The Second Attempt
Undeterred by his initial failure, Khan tried his luck again later the same day at another property. This time, he came prepared, using socks on his hands in a crude attempt to avoid leaving fingerprints. The tactic worked, and he successfully broke in.
From this second location, Khan stole a haul of electronics, including five laptops, seven iPhones, and five iPads. The total estimated value of the stolen goods was £5,500.
Justice Served for the Inept Criminal
Footage released by the City of London Police was crucial in identifying Khan. The CCTV even showed the moment he removed the socks he had used to cover his fingerprints.
Khan was subsequently brought before the courts. He received a 12-month prison sentence for the successful burglary and a concurrent 12-month sentence for the earlier attempted burglary where the door handle met its demise.
This case serves as a reminder that not all criminal endeavours go to plan, and sometimes the most basic obstacles can lead to a quick arrest.
