Bizarre moment burglar tells cops ‘I'm PROUD of you' after being caught hiding in ditch claiming ‘I enjoy the chase'
A BUNGLING burglar who broke into a business and fled the scene stunned officers by praising their work, saying, "I'm proud of you."
Dwayne Pillin, 40, smashed his way into a commercial property in Horncastle, Lincolnshire and stole several items in the early hours of Sunday.
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Officers from Lincolnshire Police responded swiftly after an alarm was triggered, discovering a smashed window and signs of a break-in.
Armed units, along with police dog Shadow, launched a search of the surrounding area.
Pillin had made a run for it but didn't get far.
Shadow managed to sniff him out in a nearby ditch, where the suspect was found lying low.
Body-worn camera footage shows the moment officers close in through tall grass before Pillin gives himself up.
But instead of resisting or staying silent, he bizarrely congratulated the team.
"Well done, guys… well done," he said.
"You did a good effort there, didn't you guys.
"I'm proud of you, to be fair, and I don't like saying that to a police officer."
The suspect continued his rambling praise as he was arrested, even admitting:
"I knew I should have gone a bit further straight away.
"I enjoy the chase as well though, to be fair.
"You know it's kept you busy, kept me busy."
Despite claiming he could have escaped if he really wanted to, he told officers he was simply "out for an adventure" that morning.
Lincolnshire Police later shared the footage on social media, saying: 'We always appreciate it when the public takes a moment to thank our officers — it means a lot.
"But it's especially memorable when the thanks come from the offenders themselves… particularly just after being caught!'
They added that while Pillin claimed he could outrun the dog, he had no choice but to give up once Shadow found him in hiding.
Pillin, of Lincoln Road, Horncastle, was charged with burglary. He appeared at Lincoln Magistrates ' Court the following day, Monday 9 June, where he was handed a 16-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.
A police spokesperson said: 'While it's not every day we're thanked by the people we arrest, our officers remained professional throughout and did a brilliant job tracking down and detaining the suspect.'
The video has since drawn widespread attention online, with social media users both amused and baffled by Pillin's strange reaction.
Commenters praised the police dog's impressive tracking skills, with one person writing: 'Best laugh today. Outrun a PD, think not.
"Well done PD Shadow and handler. It was always a done deal that Shadow would come out on top.
"It was an adventure for Shadow that's for sure.'
Another added: 'Having a bit of an adventure! Well done PD Shadow and all your colleagues for keeping us all safe.'
Police confirmed the stolen items were recovered, and the business involved has since been secured.
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