A hapless crook pierced his foot on a spike Alan Partridge-style while allegedly trying to break into a property.
Gruesome pics show how the metal spike went all the way through his ankle as he tried to get over the front gate.
The tracksuited crook suffered the mishap after stepping up to the top of the gate using a chair he’d brought along.
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He reportedly slipped due to the rain falling at the time, causing him to impale his left ankle on the anti-climb spike.
He was left with his torso dangling down the outside of the gate early on Sunday (1 Dec) morning.
Local media say he was planning to rob the house in San Miguel, Greater Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The hapless crook who pierced his ankle on a spike. (Picture: Jam Press)
He has been identified in reports as 18-year-old Leonel Lautaro Romero, as reported by Need To Know.
Local media say he lives just around the corner from the house he was allegedly trying to burgle.
A local resident spotted his plight and called the emergency services.
Firefighters were then dispatched to the scene and freed Romero by cutting the spike off the top of the gate.
The hapless crook who pierced his ankle on a spike. (Picture: Jam Press)
An ambulance also arrived and paramedics treated the teenager before taking him to a local hospital under police custody.
He has since been discharged, released on bail, and charged with trespassing with criminal intent.
Local media say he is also under investigation for other crimes.
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