A bungling thief who broke into a Dundee house was caught after he left footprints, hid stolen goods close to the scene of the crime and loitered nearby.
Michael Etchels stole two fireplaces and a computer tower from a house under renovation, located on Claverhouse Old Road.
The 27-year-old then hid the stolen goods among bushes and tall grass near the property and was traced by police, who found him “lingering” nearby.
Dundee Sheriff Court heard unemployed Etchels, of Moncur Crescent, has 32 previous convictions and has spent time in prison.
Fiscal Depute Nicola Gillespie said: “At the time of the offences he had two pending cases.
“The locus is a detached property undergoing renovation. The owner resides elsewhere.
“On July 12, 2018, he left the property secured. When he returned he saw items scattered and became aware of a smashed window and a boulder.
“The window cost £200 to replace. A neighbour told him she had phoned police, and that an electric fireplace was concealed in a bush.
“He found his computer tower concealed among trees. A £390 fireplace was concealed in tall grass.”
When police arrived, they established a stone had been thrown through the window.
Ms Gillespie added: “At 12.40pm the accused was seen lingering near the locus.
“He started walking towards Claverhouse Road and was chased by officers. They requested to see the soles of his shoes.”
Forensics teams then established that his soles matched the footprints left in the property.
Etchells, who appeared from custody, where he had been remanded on another matter, had his case continued until May 1.
