A teacher realised her neighbour was behind a £7,000 break-in at her home after recognising his Superdry jacket on CCTV.
Zoe Bloodworth, 32, turned detective after raiders wrecked her home and stole her late grandmother’s treasured jewelery.
The following day she stopped neighbour Ross Peters, 41, in the street to ask him if he’d seen anyone acting suspiciously in the area.
While they chatted Zoe realised his zip-up was an identical match to the one worn by the ‘lookout man’ filmed during the crime.
Police were called in and Peters has now been jailed.
Assistant primary school headteacher Zoe said: "It actually clicked as he was walking towards me – I didn’t let him know I knew because he is a dangerous man.
"He was wearing the same Superdry jacket. There was no doubt it was him.
"When we were talking he acted completely like he hadn’t heard anything and said ‘let me take your number if I hear anything I will call you’.
"He looked me in the eyes, shook his head and told me he knew nothing. There was no remorse."
At Luton Crown Court last week Peters was jailed for 27 months for his part in the burglary, which took place in January this year.
Zoe returned to her trashed home and discovered £7,000 worth of sentimental items had been taken.
This included jewellery left to her by her late grandmother, who died last year.
CCTV outside her home in Kempston, Beds., showed Peters lurking outside for 45 minutes as ‘lookout’ while another unknown man went inside and carried out the raid.
Zoe added: "Ross was someone I would have waved to as I drove past or I would have said ‘Hi’ if he had walked past me in the street.
"I was in total shock that he had done this to me.
“He (Peters) allowed the burglar to create the devastation which was caused that day.
"Why did you pick me that day Ross? Deep down you know you did wrong and I hope you are given consequences to match the pain and suffering you have caused me.”
Peters pleaded guilty to burglary and Judge Andrew Bright praised Zoe’s victim statement for being so powerful and descriptive.
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