Police are hunting a burglar who tried to call for a taxi – from the phone in the house he had just raided.
The dozy thief decided he needed a lift to help him with his haul of a flat-screen TV and other electrical items.
He dialled two taxi firms but hung up when he was asked for his phone number.
Detectives have now released a recording of the calls in the hope that someone will recognise his voice.
The suspect can be heard starting to give the operator a mobile phone number before panicking and saying he doesn’t know it.
He then phones another firm but swiftly hangs up when he realises he is through to the same operator at a taxi call centre.
The calls were made on a cordless telephone which was later found lying on a table in the garden of the house in Luton, Beds. by the daughter of the burgled family.
They were timed at 03.13 and 03.14 on October 25 and were both recorded by the taxi firm.
Detective Constable Scott Hannam said: “I would urge anyone who recognises his voice, or for the man himself, to contact police.
“I am also keen to hear from anyone who has any information or saw a large television being carried around this area on the night in question.”
