97-year-old's home ransacked in burglary

Police are seeking mindless burglars who vandalised the home of a 97-year-old man in Plymouth while searching for valuables.

Offenders broke into the property in Landulph Gardens, Barne Barton, sometime between Thursday 18 February and Saturday 20 February while the elderly man was not at home.

They smashed the back door to get inside before searching every room and causing a significant amount of damage inside the house.

The gas fire was torn from the fireplace, the bath panel removed and floorboards were pulled up as the offenders ransacked the property.

They eventually left with 20 Swarovski crystal animals and two Swarovski crystal eggs on gold stands, which are not high-value but of huge sentimental value to the owner. They also took a small amount of cash and a number of low value watches.

Detective Constable John-Paul Eccles, from Devonport CID, said: “This was a particularly mindless act against a vulnerable elderly man. The offenders obviously believed something valuable was hidden somewhere in the house however the search was futile as there was nothing to find.

“They have then taken the crystal ornaments which are not expensive but are of huge sentimental value to the man.

“He and his family have been left extremely distraught by the theft and the significant damage was caused to the property in this callous act.

“We are appealing for witnesses and would like to hear from anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious. The offenders must have caused a lot of noise within the property and we are keen to hear from anyone with information.”

Please contact police on 101 or email: 101@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk quoting crime reference CR/011558/16.

Alternatively information can be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org