A vigilant taxi firm has been praised for helping police to snare a burglar in Sunderland after he booked a cab to leave the crime scene.
Jason Taylor crept into a Sunderland city centre home in the dead of night while the occupants were asleep upstairs stealing items including an electric saw, a Blu-Ray player and a hover-board.
The 32-year-old stashed the stolen goods in his rucksack and carried the hover-board under his arm before phoning Station Taxis to book a cab to take him home.
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An investigation was launched into the incident with officers from Northumbria Police scouring CCTV footage for clues.
Officers then worked with the taxi company to confirm the identity of their care-free customer and the phone used was traced to Taylor.
When police turned up at his door they located some of the stolen items inside and he was arrested.
Taylor, of Hume Street, Sunderland, admitted burglary and was sentenced to 936 days imprisonment after appearing at Newcastle Crown Court on June 14.
Detective Constable Harry Atanasov, who led the investigation, said: "This was a fantastic outcome as we worked with Station Taxis to irrefutably prove Taylor was responsible for the burglary.
"He showed a total disregard for his victims and even had the audacity to phone a taxi to transport him and his loot home.
"We will continue to do all we can to bring burglars to justice."
Sergeant Maria Ord, part of the city centre neighbourhood team, added: "This is an outstanding example of working with local businesses to ensure our city remains a safe place to live and work.
"We have a fantastic relationship with our taxi firms and deliver regular vulnerability training for drivers on how best to identify and safeguard vulnerable people in our night-time economy.
"They play a hugely important role in helping us to protect the public – and also ensuring criminals are swiftly identified and located, as in this case."
Station Taxis director Jimmy Usher said the firm were "pleased" to have been able to assist.
He said: "We will continue to work closely with partners to make our city a safer place.
"Our drivers and staff are embedded into the fabric of our local community and have a unique perspective of what is happening in the city. They often come across difficult situations of concern, which is why the safeguarding training has been invaluable for us."
