Teenage Car Thief Jailed After Being Caught Hiding From Police Inside A Teddy Bear
A teenager from Rochdale who was wanted by police for stealing a car was eventually caught hiding inside a teddy bear by stunned officers. Joshua Dobson, 18, had stolen a Mitsubishi ASX in May and left a petrol station without paying on the same day.
While officers were searching for the wanted car thief at an address, they were somewhat surprised when they heard the teddy bear "breathing." After a quick examination, they found the teenager was "stuffed inside."
The bear had been cut open and Dobson, from Rochdale, had somehow managed to get himself inside in an attempt to avoid being detained, however, he was arrested and has now been sentenced to nine months in prison.
GMP Rochdale made a statement on their Facebook page, saying: "A wanted car thief who tried using a teddy bear to hide from our neighbourhood cops out looking for him last month has been put behind bars for nine months.
"Joshua Dobson, 18, from the #Spotland area of the town, was sought by us after stealing a car in May and not paying for fuel that same day.
"When we went to arrest him, our officers noticed a large bear breathing in the address before finding Dobson hidden inside! "He's now stuffed behind bars after being sentenced last week for theft of a motor vehicle, driving while disqualified, and making off from a petrol station without payment."
Greater Manchester Police said on Twitter: "Our neighbourhood task force and divisional tasking team in #Rochdale could bearely believe what they stumbled across last month in search for a wanted man... We certainly had a more than a bearable time bringing to justice one of the town's thieves last week!"
Court documents detailed how Dobson, of Airhill Terrace, Rochdale, was sentenced to a total of 32 weeks in prison for a variety of different offences at Manchester Magistrates' Court last Friday. He was also banned from driving for 27 months.
His offences included theft of a Mitstubish and its keys, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance, and leaving a petrol station without paying, on Saturday, May 21, this year. The documents also showed how Dobson was also sentenced for taking a Vauxhall Astra van without consent, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance, theft of a toolbox and two tables, as well as criminal damage, all these offences took place on March 3 this year. Convicted Paedophile Who Spied On Mum's Changing Their Babies Has Been Jailed