A crook was traced to a crime scene after fleeing without his shoe.
House burglar Curtis Officer left his trainer behind when he targeted a property on October 11.
The 45-year-old, who is one of Birmingham's most wanted crooks, was hunted by police after the shoe containing his DNA was found.
He was also recorded on CCTV at the home he raided and was recognised by an officer, reports Birmingham Live .
Now Officer, who was on West Midlands Police's most wanted list, has been jailed for four years.
Birmingham Crown Court heard the crook was out on licence when he targeted a family home in Russell Road, Hall Green.
The owners had been out, leaving it locked and secured, but returned to find a door and garden gate open.
One of the occupants told his family to call the police but then encountered Curtis, of Anderton Road, Sparkbrook, emerging from the kitchen door.
The owner tried to detain him and there was a struggle.
Paul Whitfield, prosecuting, said: "He broke free and ran and left his trainer behind him. This defendant's DNA was found on the trainer."
He said Officer was also captured on CCTV and was recognised by an officer who had previously dealt with him.
He was arrested on October 29 and told police he had been passing the property when he heard someone shout "oi" and had gone to investigate.
The court heard he had 23 previous convictions including five for burglary.
Passing sentence, Judge Simon Drew QC said Officer had been on licence at the time and it was an aggravating feature that he had "come face to face with the victim".
Simon Rippon, defending, said after leaving prison following his last sentence, Officer had tried to find work and had become isolated in the community, save for contact with his ill mother.
