Authorities have released a video featuring a burglar’s clumsy escape during a petrol station heist, drawing public attention on social media.
Details of the Petrol Station Heist
The incident took place in the early hours of 21 October at a petrol station located in Ouston, Chester-le-Street, County Durham. Andrew Pickering, 50, attempted to flee after the break-in but repeatedly stumbled as the ladder he was using collapsed.
Legal Consequences for the Burglars
- Andrew Pickering, residing in Marx Crescent, Stanley, was sentenced to 12 months in prison at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court.
- Daniel Reay, 46, Pickering’s accomplice, faced charges as well. He was arrested shortly after the burglary.
- Reay received a community order that includes mandatory alcohol treatment and rehabilitation activities.
Police Investigation and Findings
The burglary resulted in damages and losses estimated at approximately £3,219. Pickering was identified through CCTV footage and forensic evidence, including blood left at the scene.
Public Response to the Released Footage
Durham Police shared the recorded footage on its Facebook page and YouTube account, which quickly gained significant attention. In just one day, it garnered over 29,000 views.
The video, set to Strauss’s Blue Danube waltz, features CCTV clips of the break-in along with footage of Pickering in a police interrogation room. Many users commented on Pickering’s clumsiness after he accidentally knocked over a cup during his interview.
The police’s enthusiastic post included the message, “It’s not about how many times you fall, but how many times you get back up,” highlighting the bizarre nature of the event.
