A CHIP shop worker who caused £4,550 of damage to cars in Blackpool was hunted down by officers in the police helicopter.
Scott Perrett was found hiding under a tree.
Perrett, 21, of Horncliffe Road, South Shore, Blackpool, admitted four offences of damage and theft.
Martine Connah, prosecuting, said police received a report a man was damaging vehicles on Lytham Road on May 20. Perrett was seen running down an alley.
The police helicopter was brought in and identified a heat source in Kenilworth Gardens, where Perrett was found hiding under a tree.
He had caused £4,550 of damage to cars after a row with his girlfriend.
On May 23 the owner of the resort’s The Cottage Chip Shop checked the CCTV after becoming suspicious of Perrett, who worked there as an assistant. Over seven to eight weeks Perrett admitted he had stolen between £1,000 and £1,500 from his employer by taking money from customers and not ringing items through the till.
Stephen Duffy, defending, said: “He has some drug issues which are at the heart and background of these matters.”
He was bailed for pre-sentence reports by Blackpool magistrates.