A PROLIFIC thief was caught after eagle-eyed residents spotted the car he had stolen parked outside a home he was burgling.

Donny Archer was one of three men to steal a Vauxhall Insignia from a house in Timberlog Lane, Basildon at some point between January and March this year.

Along with Kalvin Allen, 24, and one other person, Archer, 21, went in the stolen car to a house in Billericay Road, Herongate on March 8.

The three forced their way into the home, with one of them going inside to look around.

However, while they were searching the house, residents spotted the car outside and became suspicious, taking a photograph of it and then reporting it to the police after the three men left.

The crooks did not manage to steal anything from the home.

As a result of the residents’ action, police were quickly able to locate the car and the gang, and they were arrested.

Archer, of Oak Lane, Crays Hill, Billericay, was sentenced remotely at Chelmsford Crown Court yesterday.

He admitted burglary and being carried by a stolen vehicle without permission of the owner.

Allen, of Dereham Place, Romford, was previously jailed last week for 18 months.

Mitigating for Archer, Ben Gordon told the court: “He has taken responsibility and remorse for it.

“He is a young man that has made some poor decisions through the course of his young life.

“His second child is due to be born later this year and he understands he will not be present for that.”

Archer previously was sentenced for burglaries committed in 2017.

He removed pillowcases from victims’ bedrooms and used them to steal items including jewellery from homes across Essex.

The burglaries took place between Monday, May 15, and Wednesday, May 17, 2017, across Bicknacre, Burnham, Latchingdon, Purleigh and Rettendon Common.

Judge Ian Graham told Archer: “You already have a very bad record for dwelling burglaries.

“You have previous early convictions when you were young but you received substantial prison time before at Chelmsford Crown Court.”

Archer was jailed for two years and four months.