Naked landlord catches pub burglar in the act (From Gazette & Herald)

Naked landlord catches pub burglar in the act

A NAKED landlord was confronted by a burglar who had just stolen thousands of pounds of pub takings from his living quarters.

Luke Postlethwaite, 31, was about to get in the shower while getting ready for work in his third-storey home at the Kings Head, Market Place, Malton, on Sunday afternoon, when he heard rustling in his office.

"I went to check it out and as soon as I got to the door there was a lad standing right in front of me. I said: 'What the hell are you doing up here?' and he said: 'Sorry mate, I'm lost.' He didn't panic at all. I was shocked. I was completely naked. He didn't even blink an eyelid."

Mr Postlethwaite reached to grab some jeans and the man ran off.

The landlord had previously removed takings from the safe and put them in his office for counting and sorting out. The burglar managed to steal the money.

The licensee said he was amazed that the thief had managed to seize such a narrow window of opportunity because security was always tight, with the door to his third-storey living quarters bolted at all times and cash locked away.

The thief casually walked out of the pub, while his accomplice, with whom he had been drinking, was held by regulars. But the accomplice managed to get away and ran off towards Market Street. Three regulars and Mr Postlethwaite gave chase.

Sgt Cliff Edens, community safety officer for Ryedale, said the burglar's accomplice then involved an elderly couple in the incident by getting into their car at Yorkersgate and persuading them to drive him away.

They were unharmed.

Sgt Edens said the burglar was white, 5ft 11in tall and aged 18 to 20. He had black, short hair with a slight fringe, spotty complexion and glasses.

He was wearing a white and sky blue long-sleeved sweatshirt with a high round neck and blue jeans.

His accomplice was a white man, aged mid to late 20s, average build and 5ft 8in tall. He had collar-length mousey blonde wavy, scruffy hair, which was tied in a pony tail. He wore a dark beige padded jacket and Nike trainers.

Witnesses and anyone with information should phone the Ryedale Witness Line on 01723 509662.

Updated: 15:00 Wednesday, January 19, 2005