In a bizarre festive crime, a mother from Dorset was forced to give chase in her pyjamas after a thief made off with her family's Christmas decorations on a souped-up mobility scooter.
Doorbell Camera Captures Brazen Theft
The shocking incident was captured on the Ring doorbell of Charlotte Freeman-Laurence, a 42-year-old NHS manager. The footage shows a figure, dressed entirely in black, brazenly snatching a giant Santa-themed postbox from her property before fleeing the scene.
Spotting the theft in real time, Charlotte did not hesitate. She immediately sprinted out of her home in pursuit of the culprit, still dressed in her nightwear. The determined mother quickly realised she was no match for the thief's speed, however, as he was riding a modified mobility scooter.
A Determined Pursuit in Pyjamas
Undeterred, Charlotte jumped into her car to continue the chase. Her quick thinking and determination paid off, as she later managed to recover the stolen festive postbox. The item, a central part of her family's Christmas display, was thankfully returned.
Following the event, Charlotte shared the clear doorbell video online in an effort to help track down the perpetrator. She also reported full details to the local police. This action led to a further positive outcome: officers successfully retrieved another of her stolen decorations.
Police Recover Second Stolen Item
In a related investigation, police managed to recover Charlotte's missing £150 Nutcracker statue, which had been taken in a separate theft just days before the postbox incident. The recovery of both items has provided some relief after the unsettling crimes.
The series of events has highlighted both the audacity of festive-season thieves and the effectiveness of home security technology like doorbell cameras. It also underscores the importance of reporting all details to the police, as it can lead to the recovery of stolen goods. Residents in the area are now being urged to remain vigilant with their seasonal decorations.
