Nottinghamshire Burglar Found Hiding Under Pile of Clothes Jailed for Over Two Years

A serial burglar from Nottinghamshire who attempted to evade police by hiding beneath a pile of coats and clothes in a bedroom has been jailed for over two years.

Carl Thomas, aged 58, was sought by Nottinghamshire Police in connection with a burglary and an attempted break-in. Officers tracking his location were led to a property on Rufford Close, Hucknall. Upon searching a messy bedroom, they heard a rustling sound emanating from a large pile of clothing.

Body-worn camera footage shows the moment an officer lifted a blanket to expose the face of the 58-year-old, who was immediately told to "get out now" and placed under arrest. Despite the overwhelming evidence and being caught red-handed in his hiding spot, Thomas told officers at the scene: "I don't do burglaries."

Offences and Sentencing

An investigation linked Thomas, of Montague Road, Hucknall, to multiple crimes committed in Hucknall during September and October:

• September 14: Attempted burglary of a garage.
• October 3: Burglary of a home where he stole a handbag.
• October 3: Fraud by false representation, using a stolen bank card from the handbag in a local shop, which was captured on clear CCTV.

Thomas pleaded guilty to burglary, attempted burglary, and fraud by false representation during a court appearance in January. He returned to Nottingham Crown Court on Friday, 20 March 2026, where he was sentenced to 876 days (approximately two years and four months) in prison.

Detective Sergeant Adam Penn said: "Even when we’d managed to track down his location – to the very room he was in – Thomas still tried his best to hide under a pile of coats. Despite his best efforts though, his hiding place was quickly rumbled, and we were ultimately able to charge him with a series of offences, including burglary."