A burglar caught a hackney cab as a getaway after he raided a house - then 'pulled out' a knife during a row with the driver over the fare and was arrested.
Jamie McCullough, who was chased and caught by police officers after the driver flagged down a passing patrol car, is now starting a four-year prison sentence.
He was locked up at a sentencing hearing at Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court on Tuesday.
McCullough, 34, of Thornlea Road, Altrincham, pleaded guilty to burglary, causing damage to property, possession of a bladed article, making off without payment and a public order offence, police said.
Greater Manchester Police said McCullough became 'embroiled in an argument with the driver' over the cost of the fare during his getaway.
He became 'aggressive', the force said, then 'pulled out' a knife he had stolen during the earlier burglary, before kicking and smashing the rear window of the carriage in an attempt to escape.
McCullough had burgled a house on Moss Lane in Hale, Trafford, on Sunday, June 13, fleeing the property with items including a knife, laptops, credit cards and an iPod.
The knife he stole was the same one he produced in the taxi.
After the burglary, he got in a cab at a taxi rank at Altrincham railway station and told the driver to take him to Barton Dock Road, Stretford.
In a statement, GMP said: "During the argument McCullough became aggressive and pulled out the stolen knife, before kicking and smashing the rear window of the car in an attempt to escape.
"The driver was able to flag down a passing police vehicle informing officers that McCullough was in possession of a knife.
"He was subsequently pursued on foot before swiftly being detained and arrested by officers nearby.
"Officers were then able to recover the knife and a black bag which contained two of the stolen laptops.
"During interview with officers, McCullough confessed to having burgled the house and causing damage to the taxi after refusing to pay."
It's understood the driver wasn't injured.
