Tank thief caught when he returned to buy goldfish

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A man who stole a fish tank from a Wakefield branch of Pets at Home was caught when he went back to the store to purchase a goldfish to put in it!

Wakefield magistrates heard how Nigel Ball (52) had gone into the store on on Westgate Retail Park on May 29 and taken the hexagonal Aqua One tank off the shelf, before walking out with it. Staff only discovered the £50 tank was missing later.

However, Ball later returned to the store to buy a goldfish. When staff asked him what kind of aquarium he had at home, he pointed to the spot where the stolen tank had been and then identified one of a similar design.

Staff became suspicious and asked him to fill out a form with his name and address. Police were called and he was arrested.

The stolen tank was found at his home in Walnut Avenue, Peacock.

Ball admitted theft. Magistrates adjourned sentencing until next month.

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