THIS is the moment a cowering burglar is caught hiding under a bed after breaking into a home.
Body worn footage shows officers lifting up a bed frame and finding the suspect squashed inside the storage compartment.
David Dale Thompson can be seen curled up in the cramped space as officers drag him out from his hiding spot and arrest him.
Thompson, 42, of no fixed abode, was caught on January 15, 2025 after being tracked down by cops on patrol.
He’s now been caged for five years after pleading guilty to four counts of residential burglary.
Manchester Crown Court heard how police had been stepping up patrols in Rusholme and Moss Side.
The increased police presence follows a spike in break-ins in those areas.
Moments before officers spotted Thompson acting suspiciously while riding a bike at around 5pm.
They followed him to a nearby property on Boscombe Street.
Cops became suspicious and moved in and forced entry to the address.
But it was inside one room where the dramatic moment unfolded.
After lifting the bed, officers discovered Thompson hiding inside beneath.
Detective Inspector Natalie McDonald, of GMP’s Manchester Central Neighbourhood Crime Team, commended the work of the officers.
She said: “This was a fantastic example of proactive policing, which has resulted in a serial offender now behind bars.
“We know how devastating a burglary in your own home can be and this shows our commitment to tackling them head on.
“If you have any information or concerns about neighbourhood crime in your area, make sure you speak to us.
“You can do this by calling 101 or reporting issues on http://www.gmp.police.uk, in the meantime we have officers on regular patrols in areas that need us the most.”
