Ring doorbell captures moment 'thief' strolls past front door before turning back and pinching homeowner's plant while 'hiding his face with his hood'

A man has been captured on doorbell camera footage casually strolling past a neatly landscaped front garden before doubling back and yanking a plant from its pot.

The bizarre clip was posted to a Facebook group for residents of Crawley in West Sussex by the revengeful home owner. 

The caption read: 'Thank you to the guy that stole our plant. We hope it makes you happy and it dies.'

Dressed in a black puffer jacket and grey joggers, the suspected thief walks calmly past the property which is located on the edge of a wooded area in West Crawley.

Footage, recorded by a Ring doorbell, catches the man glancing back at the house before he yanks his hood over his head and heads towards his target plant.

Using its leaves as a handle, the man pulls the plant from the white pot and sprints away from the scene.

As he makes his getaway, the wind blows his hood off to reveal a fair head of hair.

Crawley residents were left baffled by the footage.

Reacting to the video posted on Facebook, one user said: 'Steals a plant. Is he for real?'

Another said: 'He could argue that the evidence has been planted there.'

A local added: 'Plants are expensive, he obviously knows this. It's sad that you can't have these luxurious items outside the front of your house but it's just like leaving your wallet on the doorstep these days.'

Commenting on the eve of Father's Day, one user wrote : 'His Dad's gonna be super happy with that tomorrow.' 

The Facebook post has been viewed more than 45,000 times.

Social media users have praised the homeowner's handling of the suspected theft, with one writing: 'Love your attitude about it!'

Sussex Police has been contacted for a comment.