Burglars in pop culture are often portrayed as stealthy masterminds able to get and in out of high-security buildings undetected. In real life, most B&E perps are morons who have chosen a dangerous, relatively low-paying profession with little upside apart from being able to make their own hours.This picture pretty much illustrates that point. The person hanging by his shoelaces in the open bay window is would-be thief John Pearce.
"The man must be the world's dumbest thief," said the owner of the house, who was greeted by this sight recently when he came home from work. Pearce, who was holding a hammer, at first denied that he was burgling the place, claiming he had spotted someone else trying to rob the house and that he was only trying to stop them.
One of his shoelaces got caught as he was entering the house, and the more he struggled, the more he got entangled. Eventually, he was freed when police and paramedics arrived.
Pearce is now facing robbery charges and a lifetime of ridicule.
Our not-so-sharp burglar is lucky he didn't happen upon an armed household. He could've ended up in this gallery ...
Amanda Seyfried -- Todays Crush
Attending the premiere of "Mamma Mia!" at the Ziegfeld Theatre in New York City.
Jim Spellman, WireImage.com
Shown on the cover of a poster for "Mamma Mia!" the movie.
Stephen Lovekin, Getty Images
Plays Sophie in "Mamma Mia!"
Universal
As Sophie in "Mamma Mia!" alongside her character's mother played by Meryl Streep.
Universal
As Karen in "Mean Girls".
Paramount
At Kari Feinstein's Style Lounge.
John Sciulli, WireImage.com
As Samantha in "Nine Lives".
Magnolia Pictures
Attending the Los Angeles premiere of "Alpha Dog".
L. Cohen, WireImage.com
As Julie Beckley in "Alpha Dog".
Universal
Attending the Los Angeles Premiere of "Thief."
Jesse Grant, WireImage.com