10:11am Friday 5th September 2008
A teenager has been jailed for three years for a distraction burglary on a 70-year-old man in Croxley Green.
John McCarthy, 19, from Manning Place, Luton, pleaded guilty to the burglary which took place in March in Grove Crescent.
James McDonagh, 31, from Linnet Close in Edmonton has also pleaded guilty in connection with the incident.
During the offence the two men told the pensioner they were from the Water Board and needed access to his property. While one of them distracted the victim, the other searched the property and the pair made off with a substantial amount of cash.
Detective Sergeant Bart Haley from Operation Manhunt, Hertfordshire Constabulary’s team dedicated to catching distraction burglars said: “Thankfully a member of the public had spotted the two men acting suspiciously and called police immediately giving detailed descriptions of the suspects. Officers were immediately dispatched and arrived on the scene within minutes.”
"The two suspects were located very quickly but made off from police. Officers detained one of the men a short time later whilst an area search was conducted to trace the other.
"The search involved officers, officers from the dog unit and the force helicopter. The second suspect was then located in a garden near to the scene. The money which had been stolen was also recovered."
Bart added: “The Operation Manhunt team work round the clock using intelligence, covert and surveillance tactics, the latest forensic techniques and specialist technical equipment to catch the offenders of these despicable crimes, but it is vital to get information from you.
"This case proves just how important a call about suspicious activity can be, it meant the arrest of these two men."
Police ask anyone who sees a crime in progress to call 999 or 0845 3300 222 with information after the incident. Callers could receive a cash reward.
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