Burglar smashes patio doors in Cambridgeshire, steals £48k in valuables
- Nelson Smith, a 47-year-old burglar, was captured on CCTV breaking into several homes in Yelling, Cambridgeshire by smashing patio doors with a hammer.
- After stealing approximately £48,000 worth of jewellery, clothing, and a child's scooter, he left forensic evidence including DNA and a footprint.
- Smith was arrested later in St Neots after police identified the stolen vehicle he had used, highlighting the serious impact of his crimes on the victims.
In a brazen series of burglaries that occurred in August 2023 in Yelling, Cambridgeshire, Nelson Smith made headlines by targeting families' homes and stealing valuable possessions. His method included using a hammer to smash patio doors, which allowed him to access the interiors quickly. CCTV footage documented his actions as he carried away various stolen items, including jewellery and clothing, totaling approximately £48,000 in value. Smith's deliberate choice of targets reflected a calculated approach to burglary. The police's investigative efforts were bolstered by forensic evidence left at the crime scenes. Detectives were able to recover Smith's DNA and match a footprint found at another burglary, which ultimately led them to identify and locate him. A stolen vehicle linked to the burglaries was discovered parked at a St Neots garage, which piqued the interest of the officers on duty. When police approached, they found Smith inside the garage and arrested him after a brief foot chase. Crucially, he was wearing shoes that matched the prints left behind at the burglaries. Following his arrest, Smith pleaded guilty, resulting in a prison sentence of 10 months on October 21 at the Cambridge Crown Court. Detective Sergeant James Rabbett emphasized the serious emotional impact of such crimes on victims, underscoring that burglary is not merely a material loss but an invasion of personal space that can have lasting consequences for families involved.