Burglar Leaves Footprints in UV Paint
FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2016
Here’s a burglar who should have tried harder to cover his tracks. Police in the UK said they were able to catch a man who left prints behind in bright green UV paint, according to Shropshirelive.com and other media sources.
Security cameras reportedly captured John Richards, 39, of Ludlow, England, being sprayed with SmartWater UV paint by a security system when he broke into a business in Ludlow.
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| Photos: West Mercia Police |
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Security cameras reportedly captured John Richards, 39, of Ludlow, England, being sprayed with SmartWater UV paint by a security system when he broke into a business. |
The suspect reportedly took off his shoes in an effort to stealthily creep around the business; however, he left behind footprints in the paint.
West Mercia Police found traces of the paint in Richards’ boots and on a stolen cash box, reports said.
Barefoot Bandit to Serve Time
On Dec. 17, Richards pleaded guilty to burglary, escaping lawful custody, as well as possessing cannabis, reports said.
The Shrewsbury Crown Court sentenced him to eight months behind bars (suspended for 12 months) and ordered him to perform 100 hours of community service. He was also ordered to pay £900 (about $1,296) in costs and a £100 ($144) victim surcharge, reports related.
Proactive Protection
"Responding to a series of burglaries at businesses in Ludlow and the surrounding villages we partnered with SmartWater to protect premises,” Tom Harding, from West Mercia Police, told the BBC.
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Richards had taken off his shoes, but he left footprints in the paint behind. Police found traces of the paint in Richards’ boots and on a stolen cash box, reports said.   |
“In this case the business had a movement sensitive system installed which sprays the whole room with the liquid.
"When you shine a UV torch on it, it glows bright green.”
SmartWater bills itself as an “international crime fighting and crime prevention company,” according to its website. Additional details about the forensic spray system are available in this product brochure.
Tagged categories: Coating chemistry; Coating Materials; Coatings Technology; Criminal acts; Ethics; Safety; UV coatings
