A burglar who targeted family homes was tracked to his front door using AirPods he had stolen. 

Sam Hawkins, 37, broke into a home on Hall Road in Dartford and stole children’s passports, a laptop, an iPad, an iPhone and some AirPods. 

He then walked to Joyce Green Lane where he committed a second break-in just three minutes after the first. 

Hawkins was caught on CCTV approaching the property then stealing car keys and a number of electrical items. 

He then escaped with the victim’s car which was later found on St John’s Road in Erith. 

A friend of the first victim tracked the AirPods to Hawkin’s home address on Pembroke Road in Erith. 

They confronted Hawkins, recovered the AirPods and alerted the police. 

Officers then seized the other stolen items from inside his home. 

Sam HawkinsSam Hawkins (Image: Kent Police)

Hawkins was then arrested and charged with two counts of burglary. 

He admitted the charges and last Wednesday (June 12) he was jailed for two years at Woolwich Crown Court. 

Kent Police’s Detective Constable Daniel Bister said: “Hawkins not only brazenly committed one burglary, but was not satisfied with his first haul and went straight to another property to steal further items. 

“His greed was his downfall and, by stealing expensive AirPods which could be tracked electronically, he incriminated himself and led officers straight to his front door. 

“Targeting family homes is a despicable crime and can have a long-lasting impact of victims. 

“We will continue to pursue and apprehend those commit these offences and ensure they are brought before the court to answer for their actions.”