Police dog sniffs out scarpering burglars
Two men who crashed a stolen Porsche while trying to evade capture by police have been convicted for their crimes.
DarrenStevens,44,raideda familyhomeonSideCliffRoad, Sunderland, as the occupants were sleeping upstairs.
He helped himself to the keystoaPorscheBoxter,which was parked outside, and then drovethestolenvehicletopick up partner-in-crime Michael Podd.
Podd, 38, then jumped behind the wheel of the stolen car, before police spotted the vehicle and followed it.
Officers followed the Porscheduringahigh-speedchase as the offenders ignored red lights and drove on the wrong side of the road.
Aftercrashingthecar,driver Podd and Stevens fled the scene on foot.
Northumbria Police Dog Zeeke, with assistance from the National Police Air Service (NPAS)helicopter,thenhelped officers locate the pair hiding nearby, leading to their arrest.
Detective Constable Neil Swainston, of Northumbria Police,said:“Wemakenoapology for our tough stance on burglars and Stevens in particular should be ashamed of his actions.
“Stevens targeted a family home and stole their car that was parked outside on the street, showing a total disregard for the law and the livelihoodofothers,beforemeeting up with Podd.
“Podd – who had no licence or insurance - then endangeredthelivesofthecommunityandpoliceashetearedalong residential streets at alarming speeds and ignored red lights in a bid to get away from officers.
“He is very fortunate that nobody died as a result of his disgraceful actions behind the wheel,andnowmustdealwith the consequences of his very serious criminality.”
ThecourtheardStevens,of no fixed abode, broke into the family home at about 4am on Thursday, October 3, last year and woke up the victim’s dog, which started barking.
Hepleadedguiltytoburglary and aggravated vehicle taking without consent.
On January 8, he was jailed for two-and-a-half years and received a 27-month driving ban.
Podd, of Brady Street, Sunderland, admitted dangerous driving,aggravatedvehicletaking without consent, driving withoutinsuranceanddriving without a licence at a hearing on the same day.
HewillbesentencedonFriday, March 20.