Matthew Antrim nabbed by Donvale neighbours after attempted break in, Ringwood court hears

Quick-thinking Donvale neighbours sprung into action when they saw a would-be burglar being chased down their residential street.

Matthew Antrim appeared before the Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on Friday and pleaded guilty to theft and criminal damage charges.

When a group of Donvale neighbours spotted a man being chased down a street by a resident’s son, they joined the hunt, grabbed the attempted thief and restrained him until police arrived, a court has been told.

Matthew Antrim, 44, walked into a Donvale home in broad daylight through the unlocked front door at 11.10am on February 2.

He wandered into the bedroom, where he was caught by the homeowner leaving the ensuite bathroom.

When confronted, Antrim claimed he thought the house was “his mate’s house” before fleeing the home.

The homeowner called out to her son, who chased the man.

Neighbours joined the pursuit and grabbed the attempted burglar, before police arrived and arrested Antrim, who was on bail at the time.

Antrim was restrained by neighbours until police arrived.

Antrim, of Croydon, appeared before the Ringwood Magistrates Court on Friday and pleaded guilty to theft and criminal damage charges.

The 44-year-old, who appeared from custody, also was convicted of nabbing a woman's wallet in the Westfield Knox Kmart.

He also admitted to causing thousands of dollars of damages to cars parked along Dublin Rd in Ringwood East.

Antrim was caught on CCTV footage scratching a Holden Commodore, before he smashed the window of another car and stole several items from inside.

He was convicted and sentenced to 10 months’ jail, having already served 153 days in pre-sentence detention.