A cocky Aberdeen thief was caught after showing off a stolen Rolex and cash in Snapchat videos.
Brandon Phillips swiped £900 from his friend’s bedroom as the pair socialised together at an address on Cruickshank Crescent, Aberdeen.
The duo then drove to Kittybrewster police station together as his friend needed to assist officers with inquiries into an unrelated matter.
But Phillips, left alone in the car outside the police station, was unable to resist swiping the pricey timepiece and fleeing.
However, the thief was quickly brought to justice after taking to the social media app Snapchat to show off the £3,500 watch as well as the bundles of banknotes.
‘Only because he owes me money’
Fiscal depute Lydia Ross told Aberdeen Sheriff Court Phillips, 19, had gone around to visit his friend around 4.30pm on February 4 2021.
She said: “Due to their friendship, the complainer didn’t pay any attention to where the accused was within his home.”
Around 10pm, both men left and drove to Kittybrewster station together.
Ms Ross said: “Having parked the vehicle at Kittybrewster Custody Suite where the complainer was assisting with police inquiries, he removed his Rolex watch worth £3,500 and left it in the centre console of the vehicle.
“Around midnight, the complainer returned to the vehicle and noticed the accused was gone, leaving the car insecure, and that the Rolex watch was gone also.”
The man reported the theft and give a statement.
‘Going nowhere for some considerable time’
He then received a text from another friend informing him Phillips was posting on Snapchat video of himself with a Rolex watch and money.
Upon checking his bedroom, he realised £900 was also missing.
Phillips was traced by police near his grandmother’s address where the watch was also recovered.
He was found in possession of £845 in cash and confessed to officers: “I’m going to be honest, I did take the bag, only because he owes me money.”
Phillips, of Ash-hill Drive, Aberdeen, pled guilty to two charges of theft.
Defence agent David Sutherland said his client, who appeared via a video link from custody, was “clearly going nowhere for some considerable time”.
Sheriff Mungo Bovey deferred sentence for nine months for Phillips to be of good behaviour.
He advised him that, if he stays out of trouble, he would be admonished, but if not then he would be punished.
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