Burglar found hiding in loft after stealing AirPods from family’s home on Christmas Day

Anthony Allen, 47, was jailed for two years and four months after he was found hiding in a loft by police officers, who had tracked a stolen pair of AirPods to his hiding spot

Bodycam footage captures the moment police discovered a burglar in a loft after tracing a stolen pair of AirPods to his hideout.

Anthony Allen had broken into Rozerin Olgun’s parents’ home in Ashford, Kent, on Christmas Day, whilst they were visiting relatives. The following day officers tracked AirPods he had nicked to a property in Stanhope, where he attempted to evade capture in the attic.

However, newly-released video shows a constable declaring: “Anthony, just come down, this is ridiculous.” The officer then clambers into the loft and persuades Allen, now coated in dust, to descend.

The 47-year-old’s legs can be spotted dangling through the hatch before he is cuffed. Allen was charged with burglary and sentenced to two years, four months and 23 days at Canterbury Crown Court on February 27.

The court had heard how the Olguns had returned to their property to find possessions scattered across ransacked rooms, with jewellery, cash and the AirPods gone. CCTV, timestamped at 11.33pm, showed Allen prowling through the house and carelessly rifling through drawers in the lounge.

Miss Olgun, who was left trembling after returning to the burgled home on that distressing day last year, said she believes the thief’s sentence is nowhere near long enough.

Pointing to Allen’s 25 previous convictions for 55 offences, she said: “I don’t think two years is anything, but obviously it is what it is.” He has done it at other times, so he’ll do it again. That’s why I don’t think two years is enough.

“The value of belongings taken is Estimated to be more than £3,000. In court, Shanda McAteer, defending Allen, explained that the burglar had struggled with drug issues and had suffered the loss of close family members prior to the offence.

She added: “He hopes, through me, to apologise to the family. “Allen had previously admitted to burgling the Olguns’ home at an earlier hearing. The court was informed that he had been found guilty of burgling two other properties in the past. Judge Paul Goldspring addressed Allen, stating: “You have an extensive and appalling criminal record.

“Burglary is not merely a crime against property; it’s an intrusion into the safety and security of those violated.” Allen will be required to serve at least 40% of his sentence behind bars and pay the statutory victim surcharge.

PC Isobel Harper commented: “The impact of Allen’s offending cannot be underestimated, and I am pleased he has received a custodial sentence.”

The victims in this case were made to undergo the trauma of having their house turned upside down, along with the loss of items that were important to them.

“Everyone has the right to feel safe in their home, and I hope the family can begin to recover from this frightening experience now that the offender has been brought to justice.”