A bungling burglar has astounded police forensics with his stupidity after he left behind a trail of identifying items and DNA evidence at the crime scene.

Thousands of pounds worth of cash, hairdressing equipment and electrical goods were stolen in the late night break-in at Ricci Rizzo Hair in Sussex Street, Cambridge.

But it was not what they took that startled staff most - it was what was left behind: a hat, crisps and a Capri-Sun, mobile phone, and DNA evidence in the form of blood smeared walls.

22/08/18 Ricci Rizzo Hair bizarre burglary 22/08/18 Karolina Nowicka, partner in Ricci Rizzo Hair, Sussex Street, Cambridge. Picture: Warren Gunn

Karolina Nowicka, co-director of the salon, said: "The guy that did it left a hat and his phone.

"Our till is attached to the computer. He had to cut the cable and rip the till off.

"He left a bag full of food - crisps and a Capri-Sun in a Tesco bag.

"We had forensics come out and they said it's the stupidest guy they have ever seen."

Aftermath of the break in at Ricci Rizzos

The burglar was also spotted committing the crime.

Co-director Ricci Rizzo said his son's friend who is the manager at Cambridge nightclub Ballare in Lion Yard had witnessed the break-in and contacted police.

A spokesman for Cambridgeshire police said: "We were called at about 9.30pm on Friday (August 17) with reports of a burglary at Ricci Rizzo salon in Sussex Street, Cambridge.

"A quantity of cash, hairdressing equipment and electrical items were stolen as a result of the incident.

"Scenes of crime officers have attended the salon and an investigation is ongoing. No arrests have yet been made."


Ricci and Karolina rushed to the scene and she stayed there until 2am waiting for police.

She said: "It was really distressing. Of course I was terrified but it is what it is. What can you do? It's things you can replace.

"What's sad about it is people like that are targeting little independent shops in Cambridge."

The burglar took the till, which contained more than £500 in cash, a camera worth £5,000, two Dyson hairdryers worth £300 and ghd straighteners worth £500.

Aftermath of the break in at Ricci Rizzos

He also smashed the glass bottom panel of a door, which cost £250 to fix, and left blood smeared all over the wall, said Karolina.

"He has not only stolen the till, he has stolen quite a lot of equipment," she said.

"Our clients were distressed seeing that. It isn't nice now we have got no till.

"We couldn't really do much. We kind of sectioned off the area because we couldn't lose out on any more money."

Anyone with information regarding this incident should call police on 101 quoting 35/23510/18 or visit www.cambs.police.uk/report.
