Shocking !!! Thieving window cleaner caught on camera rifling through pensioner's bedroom

A window cleaner has been jailed for stealing money from a pensioner - after he was caught on camera rifling through her bedroom.

Detectives set up the hidden camera at the 86-year-old’s home in West Bromwich after relatives raised concerns that money had disappeared in April. 
The secret code burglars are using to mark homes before raids
Joshua Woodhouse was one of the few people who had been in the pensioner’s home during that time. He was due to clean the windows at the property once a month.

The 26-year-old went into the address on May 17 on the pretence of asking for some water - but he was then caught on camera searching the victim’s room while she went into the kitchen.

A quantity of cash was later found to be missing and Woodhouse was arrested by officers.

Police step up hunt for machete-wielding thugs who SLASHED man in violent street brawl

He initially denied stealing the money but later pleaded guilty to two burglaries between April 21-24 and May 17. He stole more than £1,000 in total.

Detective Constable Sarah Forster, of West Midlands Police Force CID, said: “Woodhouse targeted this woman knowing she was elderly and vulnerable.

“She trusted him as a regular window cleaner; but he took advantage of this misplaced trust to deceive and steal from her.

Police seize drugs and make arrest after storming two Kingstanding properties

“We have a range of tactics to catch criminals and the use of the camera on this occasion proved crucial in snaring Woodhouse. It spotted him searching the room and after the money was later missing he had to be the prime suspect.

“We always assess and improve our ways of securing evidence so those who commit crimes are caught and punished through the courts.”

Woodhouse, of Cotterills Road in Tipton, was jailed for two years and one month at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Wednesday, August 16.