Reckless teenage burglar caught by police dog as he attempts to escape cops in stolen car

A reckless driver who hit speeds of up to 85mph in residential areas as he tried to flee in a stolen car has been locked up – after he was caught hiding in a garden by Police Dog Stavros.

Joshua Connor ignored a no entry sign, went through a red light and travelled in the wrong direction towards oncoming traffic after failing to stop for officers in Gravelly Hill, Erdington.

Two other drivers were forced to take evasive action as the Ford Fiesta was dumped in Jonquil Close in the early hours of 20 February.

However, super sniffer Stavros picked up on Connor’s scent and discovered him hiding in a garden in a nearby street.

The 19-year-old, of no fixed address, tried to provide police with false details but officers were able to quickly ascertain his true identity.

It was established the car had been stolen during a burglary in Erdington two days earlier.

Connor pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods and driving offences at Birmingham Crown Court on Monday (25 April).

He was jailed for three years and two months which included the activation of a suspended sentence for a previous burglary offence.

West Midlands Police say they recovered over 1,000 stolen vehicles last year as part of their drive to stop car thieves.