'Porch pirate' Ronald De-St-Aubin, 61, caught after Parsons Green residents built 'doorbell footage dossier' on 'our thief'

From the Newshound archive · first published 8 October 2026 · last updated 9 October 2026.

Ronald De-St-Aubin, 61, initially denied six theft charges at Isleworth Crown Court before a single question from Judge Martin Edmunds KC changed his mind — the judge simply asked whether De-St-Aubin recognised the man in the Ring doorbell footage. Neighbours on St Maur Road in Parsons Green had grown so exasperated by his months-long parcel-snatching spree that they nicknamed him 'our thief' and banded together to compile a dossier of camera evidence against him.

De-St-Aubin was caught on film wearing an Adidas tracksuit with a visible ankle tag as he raided doorsteps in the summer heat.

His haul included three boxes of wine and champagne worth £500, a second-hand Isabel Marant designer jacket, children's clothing and a ceiling light fitting.

Residents said the Met initially told them there was not enough evidence to arrest him — so they built the case themselves.