Millions warned to take one precaution as thief is caught using sinister new trick
Phillip Thompson pretended to deliver food but instead burgled homes and communal areas of buildings across Cardiff and Penarth in Wales.
A prolific burglar is caught is on camera stealing parcels - in a Just Eat bag.
Phillip Thompson pretended to deliver food but instead burgled homes and communal areas of buildings across Cardiff and Penarth in Wales.
CCTV footage below shows him stealing parcels from the communal area of Quayside in Butetown.
The 35-year-old from Adamsdown admitted dozens of burglaries in police interview.
He pleaded guilty at Cardiff Crown Court and was was sentenced to seven years and one month imprisonment for assault, coercive and controlling behaviour and ten residential burglaries.
A further 69 residential burglaries were taken into consideration.
Detective Sergeant Andrew Coakley, from South Wales Police said: “Phillip Thompson used different tactics to gain access to properties.
“As well as sometimes forcing entry and taking advantage of an open door or window, he also turned up at student hall of residence with a paint pot claiming to be a decorator and acquired a Just Eat bag pretending to deliver food.
“Unfortunately for him, he was caught on CCTV and from those images we identified him using Retrospective Facial Recognition.
"We treat burglaries extremely seriously and will use all available technology to bring offenders to justice.
“We hope that the outcome of this investigation will bring some comfort to the victims and reassure the wider community of our commitment to investigating burglaries.”
Residents living in apartment blocks are reminded to be extra cautious when allowing strangers access to the building.
