Guns stolen in high value burglaries
(Image for illustrative purposes only)
THAMES Valley Police is appealing for information after a series of burglaries in Chinnor that officers believe are linked. Several high value items and shotguns were taken during the incidents.
Between 7.45am and 3.45pm on Friday (6/3) offenders gained entry to a property on Timber Way, Chinnor, by smashing a glass panel on the rear kitchen door panel and using the keys that were in the lock to open the door. The offenders forced a gun cabinet from the wall of the master bedroom and stole the four shotguns that were kept inside it.
The victim inherited the shotguns, which previously belonged to the deceased father of the victim. The details are as follows:
A rare Miroku Presidential over/under, 12 bore shot gun, which has an oval silver crest pressed into the wooden butt of the gun. This has been rounded and polished.
A Miroku over/under 12 bore shot gun, pictured on the top of the above image.
A Miroku over/under, 12 bore, self-loading shot gun
A Miroku over/under, 12 bore shot gun
A .22 air rifle
A blue handbag containing shooting vests, ear defenders and shot gun certificates
Several high-value pieces of jewellery inherited by the victim were also stolen in the incident. An Omega Constellation wrist watch, a pocket watch, and a Rolex GMT Master Wrist watch were taken in the incident.
In a second incident, between 5.30pm and 8.45pm on Friday (6/3), offenders gained entry to a property on Station Road, Chinnor through the rear conservatory door by smashing the glass panel and using the keys that were in the lock to open the door. The victim’s wedding and engagement rings, two Royal Doulton figurines and a box of After Eight chocolates were taken in the incident. A bottle of kitchen cleaner was also taken; officers believe this was used by the offenders to attempt to remove fingerprints from the scene.
In a third incident, between 8.40am and 6.40pm on Friday (6/3), offenders removed a UPVC patio door from its hinges to gain entry to a property on Chinnor Road, Aston Rowant. No items were taken during the incident, but several objects from the house that would have been touched by the offenders, such as the alarm panel and alarm from the wall, were found outside in a metal bin full of detergent water in an attempt to remove fingerprints.
Officers believe the three incidents from the weekend are connected to recent burglaries in Tilehurst and Reading, and also another burglary in Hampshire. (Full details including photograph of some of the guns HERE)
Officers would like to speak to anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the vicinity of these incidents on March 6, or the further two Reading incidents, and also to anyone with information about the whereabouts of the shotguns taken in the Timber Way incident.
Investigating Officer PC Gavin Chan of Didcot CID said:
“I would like to take this opportunity to reassure Chinnor residents that we are conducting a thorough investigation into the offence.
“If you don’t want to speak directly to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.”
