A burglar who stole thousands of pounds worth of jewellery was apprehended hours after his crime when police noticed he was still wearing the same clothing from the raid alongside the stolen watches on his wrist.
Kieron Millin, 43, was identified by local officers following the early morning burglary at a store in Market Street, Sutton-in-Ashfield on 12 February. Police observed the distinctive watches adorning his wrist matched items taken during the break-in, with his clothing identical to that captured on CCTV footage.
When officers searched Millin, they discovered multiple items of jewellery concealed in his pockets. The 43-year-old initially denied involvement in the theft, responding “what burglary” as police questioned him about the raid despite the evidence literally on his person.
CCTV footage captured Millin smashing his way through a window at the Market Street premises before pushing over a display case. The thief snatched valuable jewellery and watches from among the scattered damage, completing the theft in under a minute.
The scarf-wearing burglar fled through the same broken window he had entered through, but not before an awkward mishap delayed his getaway. Millin dropped a stolen item during his escape and fell whilst attempting to retrieve it. The 43-year-old threw the item out through the smashed window before reattempting his departure on foot.
The total value of items taken during the rapid raid exceeded £10,000. The combination of distinctive stolen watches being worn openly alongside identical clothing from the CCTV footage provided officers with immediate grounds for search and arrest.
Millin’s brazen decision to wear the stolen watches hours after committing the burglary proved fatal to any attempt at denying involvement. His protest of “what burglary” collapsed as officers recovered the jewellery from his pockets and identified the watches on his wrist as matching those stolen from the Market Street store.
The case demonstrates how distinctive stolen items, particularly jewellery and watches, create significant identification risks for thieves who wear or display them shortly after theft. CCTV evidence combined with the physical possession of stolen goods provided police with clear evidence linking Millin to the crime.
Millin now faces criminal proceedings for the February burglary. The recovered jewellery and watches will be returned to the store following the conclusion of legal proceedings. Further details about charges and court dates are expected as the case progresses through the criminal justice system.
