Rochdale car thief found hiding inside 5ft teddy bear

A wanted car thief who tried hiding in a giant fluffy teddy bear to evade cops has been “stuffed” behind bars.

Joshua Dobson, 18, was being hunted by police last month when he decided to climb into the back of the roughly 5ft bear – after making a hole in its bottom.

But officers from Greater Manchester Police rumbled the fugitive’s disguise after noticing that a teddy in the corner of a room they were searching was “breathing”.

Dobson, from Rochdale, was sentenced to nine months in prison for theft of a motor vehicle, driving while disqualified, and making off from a petrol station without payment.

And a spokesperson for the force added they hoped the teenager’s stretch behind bars was “bearable”.

They said: “A wanted car thief who tried using a teddy bear to hide from our neighbourhood cops out looking for him last month has been put behind bars for nine months.

“Joshua Dobson, 18, from the Spotland area of the town, was sought by us after stealing a car in May and not paying for fuel that same day.

“When we went to arrest him, our officers noticed a large bear breathing in the address before finding Dobson hidden inside!

“He’s now stuffed behind bars after being sentenced last week for theft of a motor vehicle, driving while disqualified, and making off from a petrol station without payment.

“Hopefully he has a bearable time inside.”