Man Steals Church Roof Using Google Earth

M@
By M@ Last edited 181 months ago

Last Updated 16 March 2009

Man Steals Church Roof Using Google Earth

croydonchurchabove.jpg
Roofless efficiency

It was only a matter of time. Londoner Tom Berge is serving eight months at Her Majesty's pleasure after bending Google Earth to evil purposes.

The 27-year-old builder used the mapping site to spot lead roofs in South London. He'd then scale the buildings, many of them listed, and half-inch the valuable metal.

According to the Telegraph, his targets included Honeywood Museum in Carshalton, Sutton High School for Girls and Croydon Parish Church - not your typical 'raise the roof' campaign.

You've got to admire the guy's ingenuity. But not as much as we admire the Guardian, for devising the best pun ever.

And here's a thought.

Do you geotag your Flickr photos, including those taken at home?

Do you Tweet when you're on holiday, or broadcast your current location?

It can't be long before an enterprising thief combines the two for a stress-free break-in.