A WOMAN returned to her car to find a thief sitting inside trying to start it.

The startled thief claimed he must have got into the wrong car while looking for a lost hat.

The thief had broken into the green Land Rover in the Crown Bottom car park at Huddersfield Road, Holmfirth, at 1.40pm on Saturday.

When the victim approached the car he made up his ridiculous excuse and walked off carrying a hammer.

He had caused £200 damage to the vehicle breaking in and then tampering with the ignition.

Police are seeking a man who is white, in his early 20s, about 5ft 8ins and thin with short dark neat hair and a gold earring.

He wore a blue jacket and jeans.