By Elena Salvoni For Mailonline

Published: 11:28 EDT, 10 August 2022 | Updated: 18:18 EDT, 10 August 2022

A tiny fugitive driver was found by police hiding inside a giant teddy bear after officers spotted the cuddly toy breathing.

Disqualified driver Joshua Dobson, 18, from Rochdale, had been trying to evade Greater Manchester Police's neighbourhood team after stealing a car and failing to pay for fuel in May. 

As cops searched for the teenager, they eventually entered a property and were stunned to be greeted by a 5ft 'breathing' teddy bear - before realising Dobson had ripped open the cuddly toy's bum and hidden inside its stuffing

Dobson was sentenced for theft of a motor vehicle, driving while disqualified, and making off from a petrol station without payment last week and will spend nine months behind bars.

Details of his bizarre arrest in Rochdale were revealed at his sentencing hearing before Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Friday. 

Joshua Dobson (pictured) was found inside a teddy bear after trying to escape the attentions of police officers

UnBEARlievable: Joshua Dobson, 18, hid inside a giant teddy while on the run from police

Greater Manchester Police mocked Dobson's attempt to hide from them and said he has now been jailed

'Unbearable to read without laughing': Dozens of social media users found the story of the failed escape plan hilarious

The court heard how officers noticed the teddy slumped in the corner of the room and ‘did a double-take’ when they saw that it appeared to be breathing.

Inside, they found Dobson, and pulled him out of the cuddly toy.

The youngster had been wanted by police since May after he took a Mitsubishi ASX vehicle before stealing £30 of fuel at a nearby petrol station. 

In a post on Facebook, Rochdale Police said: ‘Joshua Dobson was sought by us after stealing a car in May and not paying for fuel that same day.

‘When we went to arrest him, our officers noticed a large bear breathing in the address before finding Dobson hidden inside.

‘He’s now stuffed behind bars after being sentenced last week for theft of a motor vehicle, driving while disqualified, and making off from a petrol station without payment.’

The police force added: ‘Hopefully he has a bearable time inside.’ 

After details of the unusual incident were posted on social media, Dobson's failed disguise was mocked by Facebook users who branded the fugitive's quick-thinking 'hilarious'.

One user said: 'I bet the officers couldn't 'bearlieve' it when they found him.'

Another Facebook user said: 'I imagine being a GMP officer is quite unBEARable at times.'

A fellow Mancunian said: 'He will only get the bear essentials in jail.'

One commenter said: 'Apprehended by officers on paw patrol.'

Another pointed out that while the teddy is large it is nowhere near human-sized.

'What is he 3ft!' they said about Dobson.

Commenters flooded Greater Manchester Police's post with bear-related puns

Another local said: 'What a plonker. That's hilarious.' 

Meanwhile another disbelieving person said they had to 'check the date' to make sure the post was not an April Fools prank by the police. 

Greater Manchester Police were contacted for comment.

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