Burglar found asleep in stolen car

A British burglar who made off with a family car after an overnight raid was arrested this morning when officers discovered the vehicle with the thief fast asleep inside.

The luxury vehicle was stolen during a house burglary at Old Basing, Hants, last night along with cash, wallets, telephones and credit cards.

At 11.44 am, Thames Valley Police officers found the stolen BMW on a driveway in Chievely, Berkshire, with a man asleep inside it.

Earlier the tired thief had tried to get some shut eye in a quiet road at Hook, Hants, but had to speed away from police when officers knocked on the window to wake him up.

A householder had alerted police saying an unconscious man was outside his address in the car. During his escape he managed to collide with a patrol car.

A police spokeswoman said: “It seems to be very hard work being a burglar. We are grateful this gentlemen’s alleged night time activities made him so tired he had to get some shut eye.”

Hampshire Police had circulated details of the car’s registration to Thames Valley Police while hunting the driver. The BMW had also collided with another car in Heckfield, Hants before it was located.

A 27-year-old man from Bristol was arrested and will be quizzed by detectives from Hampshire today.