The Wimbledon Prowler who has committed around 200 burglaries in the last 10 years is back and the police have renewed their appeal to catch him.
Known for his trademark fisherman hat, the prolific burglar had been on a hiatus following a 2014 Crimewatch appeal, but the Metropolitan Police have confirmed he is now back 10 years after he was first registered.
It is believed the man has made more than £10million through burglaries in Wimbledon Village in the last decade and commonly destructs security equipment on properties and uses a device to pick locks.
Detective Inspector Dan O’Sullivan of Merton CID said: “We are renewing appeals and asking for the public’s help in identifying this man so that we can bring him to justice and bring his crime spree to an immediate halt.
“Someone must recognise this man and his distinctive clothing. He clearly spends a significant amount of time away from home in the early hours, something which cannot go unnoticed by his family and friends.
“I would urge anyone who recognises this individual to contact us. All calls will be treated in confidence.”
The man is known to return to high reward properties and has burgled those of Boris Becker and Nicolas Anelka — the latter who chased him across his garden.
Once inside an address he is known to use his jacket and pockets to stash items such as cash and jewellery.
The cat burglar has been caught on CCTV on multiple occasions, each time wearing a distinctive fisherman’s hat.
At least six of his burglaries have been interrupted by occupants but he has immediately fled each time.
Police have released CCTV footage of the man taken during a burglary at an address in Parkside, SW19 in 2015.
In the footage the man can be seen throwing a safe out of a window and then him climbing down to retrieve it before walking off.
Merton Police have asked anyone with any information on this case to contact them on 020 8649 3155 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Image courtesy of the Metropolitan Police, with thanks
