Caught in the act: Dopey burglar stares directly at CCTV camera he later steals

A gormless burglar is caught staring at a CCTV camera ­ seconds before he attempts to cover up his crime by stealing it from a family home.

The dim-witted thief looks directly into the lens for several seconds, before shouting to an accomplice and saying the word 'camera'.

Despite being caught on tape, he then attempts to hide from the wall-mounted camera by ducking down out of view.

He also tries to move the camera away from him before finally wrenching it off the wall and stuffing it in his bag, along with a quantity of cash and jewellery.

The yob raided the family home in Daventry, Northamptonshire, on Saturday afternoon between 1.30pm and 2.30pm.

Yesterday, Phi Chong - who installed the camera in his parent's home - said the 59-second video was still accessible because it was instantly uploaded to an online folder.

The 30-year-old has now shared the footage, including several still shots, on social media websites in a bid to catch the intruder.

London-based property developer Phi said: ‘The look on the guy's face is priceless as he tries to figure out what to do next.

‘Hilariously he then belatedly tries to hide from the camera by ducking underneath it. He obviously thought by stealing it would hide his crime but the footage was already sent to an online server.

‘My parents were robbed in November and I suspected they would be back so I installed the camera.

‘It's the first camera of its kind and it’s not available in the UK, I had it imported from the US.

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‘It is basically a web camera but the sophisticated stuff is where it gets recorded to.

‘You can hear him talking and he is talking to someone else so there are at least two of them.

‘He was mentioning a camera and before that he shouts something, it sounds like he is calling out a name.’

Nothing expensive was taken during the raid, but Mr Chong has appealed for help in tracing two items of sentimental value.

He added: ‘My brother Vay Chong passed away and left a gold necklace and Buddha amulet. This was intended for his unborn son.

‘He is having a child and it was meant to be gift for him.’

His sister, Siu-Lan Chong, 32, added: ‘We are upset and angry this has happened, given the recent death of my brother we are all going through an emotional time.

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‘The thoughtless and irresponsible act of these criminals has had an enormous impact on our family and we urge anyone who knows or has seen anything to come forward.’

Northamptonshire Police have also released still photos from the footage in a bid to track down the thief - who they believe was carrying a weapon.

Inspector Phil Mills said: ‘We are investigating a number of leads, including CCTV footage provided by the home owner.

‘We would like to speak to anyone who may recognise the man in the photograph or indeed anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity in the area around the time of the burglary.

‘We believe he may have been carrying a weapon at the time of the burglary and would urge people to get in touch straight away if they recognise him.’

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A spokesperson for the force added: ‘Officers are investigating all leads, including CCTV footage provided by the home owner.’

Anyone with information is asked to call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.