Burglar Caught Red-Handed Stealing Tools and Valuables in East Sussex
A career criminal has been locked up after being caught on camera raiding homes in Eastbourne and Hailsham. Michael Stonestreet, 32, in the habit of pinch-and-grab crimes, was snapped stealing cash, tools, building materials, and jewellery.
Caught on CCTV Ripping Off Builders’ Property
On November 12, 2019, Stonestreet rocked up at a house on Rosebury Avenue, Eastbourne, which was under renovation. Getting no answer, he sneaked round the back, stole a roll of lead from the site, then returned moments later to snag £100 in cash from a builder’s jacket pocket. He didn’t stop there — he also grabbed a tile cutter and nail gun, all caught on CCTV.
Fingerprint Evidence Links Him to Jewellery Heist
Just weeks earlier, on September 26, 2019, Stonestreet broke into a property on The Holt, Hailsham, forcing open a locked rear window. Inside, he made off with gold jewellery — a chain, bracelet, ring — plus cash and a BB gun, valued at around £7,000.
Police found his fingerprints inside the window frame, tying him directly to the break-in.
Jailed for Nearly Three Years
Stonestreet, a child carer from Butts Field, Hailsham, with a string of burglary offences, kept silent during his police interview. On August 19, Lewes Crown Court sentenced him to two years and eight months behind bars.
Inspector Rachel Barrow said: “Michael Stonestreet is no stranger to us, having been convicted of a number of other theft and burglary offences in the past few years. He has made no attempt to improve his behaviour, which is reflected in this custodial sentence.”
“Through forensics evidence and CCTV images which clearly identified him, we were able to bring him to justice for these two offences.”
“While these appear to have been two opportunist incidents, I’d like to remind residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour to us.”
