HOODED thieves have been caught on camera calmly breaking into a garden before snatching two bikes and brazenly cycling off.

Footage shows a crook is shown entering a back garden of a property as his accomplice mans the gate and keeps watch.

The culprit, believed to be a man, then strolls towards a cluster of bicycles, which had been left up against a fence, before choosing his favourite and exiting the scene.

As he disappears out of shot, the second person takes his turn at stealing one of the bikes before the pair casually leave the site, seemingly unphased.

One of the bikes belonged to Ciocolata Baltes, 31, who has lived in the area for three years and whose partner had not long given birth at the time of the theft.

He said: “I went out there in the morning to get my bike to go to work but then I did not find the bike, but when I checked the camera I saw what had happened.

“Their faces were covered and you could not see anything of them and I was worried at first but not anymore.

“One of the bikes was mine and the other belonged to a friend of mine and we had only had them for a couple of months.

“I live about 20 minutes away from work and I need to be able to get to work so I have bought a new bike now.”

Since posting footage of the incident, which took place in Colchester on May 29 at about 5.30am, Ciocolata has received messages from other victims of bike thefts.

Echo:

“I don’t think they are very nice,” added Ciocolata.

The latest incident comes after 16-year-old schoolboy Jamie Francis had his beloved Carrera Vengeance cycle stolen from inside The Gym, in Queen Street, while he worked out.

Ciocolata has now reported the theft but anyone with information can call Essex Police on 101.