A hero postie chased a prowler out of a Scots home after catching a robbery in the act.
While out delivering letters, vigilant Gavin Wood spotted a suspicious car parked near one of the houses on his regular route in Dulnain Bridge in Strathspey, Highlands at around 2.15pm on Tuesday, July 7.
The 39-year-old thought something wasn't right after noticing household belongings and expensive electronics lying on the road.
He took a picture of the parked car and walked around to the back of the property and found the front door ajar.
He crept around the side of the house and spotted a man at the end of the garden and gave chase.
The single dad-of-one, from Grantown-on-Spay said: "I've done the same round for about eight years so I know everyone, it's quite a rural small community.
"I didn't have any mail for that property but the car had done a U-turn in front of me and it looked suspicious so I thought I’d take a picture of the registration plate on my way back.
"I could see belongings, like a television and tools and that, left at the side of the road so I knew something was up.
"I drove round the side of the house and pulled in, in my postie van, and I could see someone moving around on the patio area.
"I phoned the police and told them there was a burglary in process then I got out and went into the house."
Gavin put down his phone with the camera filming hoping to capture himself catching the robber in the act for evidence.
In the video the postman of 20 years creeps around the property so as to not alert the prowler.
A man is seen at the bottom of the garden moving around items.
As soon as he spotted the postie, he flees.
Gavin said: "I was just going in to spark them out to be honest.
"But they weren't in the house anymore so I picked my phone back up, and the minute I looked around the corner I saw one of them were standing at the fence sorting stuff out that they had stolen.
"He looked at me and he just took off."
Gavin chased the robber who hopped into a car and sped off - but not before the postman got a strong punch on the windscreen, cracking the glass and cutting his hand in the process.
Gavin said: "I just went running and I seen the other driver just revving the car so I thought I better not jump on top of the car.
"So I thought I'll hit the windscreen with my hand so it stops his visibility.
"The windscreen went in so I smashed the driver's side of the window then I just waited for the police to come.
"I went to school with the daughter of the resident there so I phoned her and told her what happened.
"I tried my best to catch them but they're lucky I never."
Thankfully, despite advise from officers to get his hand checked out at the hospital, Gavin wasn't badly injured.
He added: "They wanted me to get an ambulance but I just didn't bother. I've put a couple of plasters on it, it's fine.
"People said they've seen a car driving about with a smashed windscreen so hopefully the police catch them."
Detective Sergeant Louise Thewlis, based at Aviemore Police Station, said: "We were made aware of a housebreaking that was ongoing around 2.15pm on Tuesday, 6 July in Dulnain Bridge.
"Due to the quick thinking actions of members of the community, the suspects were disturbed so most items couldn't be stolen and we have since received further important information relating to this incident.
"A gold Volkswagen Golf believed to be involved was recovered by officers burnt out in Elgin hours later.
"We are following a positive line of enquiry.
"I would like to thank those who have helped us with our investigation so far. Anyone with any information relating to this incident can contact us on 101 quoting incident number 1645 of 6 July."
