A CONTENDER for the daftest crook in Britain has been caught on video stealing a security doorbell camera.
The thief’s face was clearly captured by the Ring device, which can be tracked or disconnected if stolen.
Jaykumar Wadhwani, from Brighton, East Sussex, posted the clip online on Tuesday after images of the 5am theft were beamed to his mobile.
The culprit only covers his mouth as he approaches the doorway, eyes fixed on his target.
The camera lands lens-up, capturing the man making sure he has disconnected everything completely before picking it up and walking off.
Jaykumar uploaded the clip to Facebook with the caption: “Help find this person. He has stolen our Ring doorbell/camera at 5:24am on 16th July 2019. Spread it in your groups. Police has been informed as well.”
Social media users were amazed at the stupidity of the crook.
Colin Howell said: “Contact Ring, they should be able to pick it up the second the daft sod resets it and reconnects to a new network. Stealing these types of devices is like stealing a GPS tracker and hoping the owner doesn’t find you!”
Mitsu Shah wrote: “Omg really he is on camera, and he doesn’t care!”
Michael Smith commented: “They link to IP address lol. No good trying to use a stolen one.”
Jaykumar, who said everyone in the house was sleeping at the time, added: “Exactly, hoping his stupidity gets him caught.”
Meanwhile, Jo Hart said: “What a d***head.”
Ring say on their website that “you can assign a static IP address to a Ring device during the Wi-Fi setup process”, suggesting that if the doorbell is connected elsewhere, the new IP address will locate it.
In a statement they confirmed that they are able to render the stolen doorbell useless by disconnecting it.
A spokesman said: “So for security purposes we are not allowed to track down the Ring devices themselves, however every mac ID of those devices are unique.
“What we can actually do to help our customers is we replace the device altogether and tag the stolen device as such so that it will not work whatsoever.”
Speaking today, Jaykumar said he was frustrated by the police as they have not yet processed his report and as such he cannot receive his replacement device from Ring.
He said: “Police have done absolutely nothing about this. I was given a crime reference number but still have not heard anything two days later.
“Ring offer a replacement for a stolen doorbell if you submit a police report but I have not got one and I feel a bit insecure without it.”
Ring video doorbells are available online in several different models, ranging from as little as £89 to as much as £449.
The equipment allows homeowners to keep an eye on their home regardless of where they are, as live feeds from their doorbell can be accessed on mobile phones.
The discreet cameras have helped to catch other criminals in the act who are not aware of the doorbells.
