Just when you think some criminals have reached the pinnacle of dumb, Facebook delivers yet another one. Nicholas Wig broke into a home in St. Paul Minnesota late last week, and atop of ransacking the home to steal credit cards, cash and jewelry, he decided to stop and do one very moronic thing. He logged into his Facebook account, and didn’t log out when he took off. Homeowner James Wood arrived at his home, panicked to see his house in disarray. Wood saw his computer and noticed one particular break in the case, Wig had left his profile up. Wood’s next steps proved just how ignorant the thief was.
Wood posted on Facebook, using Wig’s profile, advising his house was just broken into. Wood spotted wet shoes and jeans that did not belong to anyone in his home, near the computer. The homeowner left his phone number in case anyone had information. The phone did buzz, and it was text from none other than Wig.
Wood lured the thief advising Wig had left some clothing items and he would exchange them with Wig later that night, for a cell phone he had stolen. With a plan in place, Wood visited a friend and was headed home later that morning, when he saw Wig walking down the street. The homeowner immediately called emergency services. At the time of his arrest, Wig was wearing Wood’s stolen watch.
Wig told officers he had every intention of returning all items to Wood. As he emptied his pockets, an iPod Shuffle and car keys surfaced, Wood identified both items belonging to him. Later, when speaking to authorities, Wig confessed to the crime. It seems without doubt, the evidence would had worked against him to begin with.
Spokeswoman for the Dakota County Attorney’s Office, Monica Jensen stated it was a “first, from what I can recall,” for her office, to receive an unusual case.
Wig was charged with second degree burglary, and can face up to 10 years in prison and/or $20,000 in fines. It is unknown at this time if Wig has retained an attorney.
Wood stated it seemed like a “World’s dumbest criminal” moment. We’d have to agree.
by: Tina Mayberry