Burglar who stole teddy bear pepper-sprayed

A burglar who stole a teddy bear and other items from a Hamilton home had to be pepper-sprayed by police after becoming aggressive during his arrest.

Waikato police spokesman Andrew McAlley said a Claude St couple were devastated to find their home had been burgled for the fourth time in three weeks.

Noticing some of the stolen belongings by the rear fence, they looked over the fence and were confronted by a man who threatened them with a pitchfork.