- Bungling thief caught on CCTV sprawled on the ground after falling from a roof
- He was part of a gang who pulled up outside Purbeck Mobility Shop in Dorset
- They ripped the lead tiles off the roof before they were disturbed by a witness
- As they quickly climbed down one of them slipped and fell to the pavement
A bungling thief has been caught on CCTV sprawled on the ground after he fell 20ft off a roof while trying to steal lead tiles.
The offender was part of a three-man gang who pulled up outside the two-storey Purbeck Mobility shop in Wareham, Dorset, in the middle of the night.
Two of them climbed up onto the roof and started ripping the lead tiles off before they were disturbed by a witness.
As the panicked pair quickly climbed down, one of them slipped and fell to the pavement.
A hapless thief was caught on CCTV sprawled on the ground after he fell 20ft off a roof
The suspect was helped to his feet with his two accomplices following the incident in Dorset
One of the suspects injured his leg in the fall and the CCTV footage showed his two accomplices helping him up afterwards and into a getaway van.
The van sped off with its lights off.
Police have also released an image of one of the two other men who is dressed in a grey tracksuit and wearing a sinister looking mask
Dorset police have released an image of the hapless offender lying in agony on the ground after his fall.
There is also a CCTV still of one of the two other men who is dressed in a grey tracksuit and wearing a sinister looking mask.
Police have launched an investigation into the theft and are appealing for anyone who knows the thieves to come forward.
The incident happened at around 12.15am on Friday November 3.
PC Tom Renshaw, of Wareham police, said: ‘I appreciate the CCTV images are not the best quality, but if anyone is able to identify any of the suspects, or knows of someone who badly injured their leg in suspicious circumstances, to please get in touch.
‘I am also appealing for any other witnesses who have not yet spoken to police to please come forward.
‘Anyone with information should contact Dorset Police, or call Crimestoppers anonymously.’