POLICE have recorded a spate of burglaries across Winnersh, Earley, Woodley and Wokingham over the past week and are appealing for witnesses to come forward to help them catch the thieves who are thought to be using an Audi RS3.
They are linking the incidents, which saw locks targeted by either snapping or smashing the lock case to remove the lock, mainly on rear doors. The houses are searched thoroughly, including going in the loft, removing bath panels and also ripping out security lights.
A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said: “These burglaries are happening late afternoon to early evening between 4pm and 9pm and they have been across the area, Wokingham, Winnersh, Earley, Woodley.
“f you live near any of the above roads, please check your CCTV and see if anything could help police with their enquiries.
“We believe a grey Audi RS3 is being used, possibly with three men in it.
“If you see a parked up grey Audi RS3 please ring the police – we would rather get telephone calls to check out where this car may be than continue with burglaries around the area – your help is vital to let us know when such a car could be in your road.”
The incidents
- On Thursday, January 11, someone tried to break into an odd numbered house in the 460s on the Reading Road. They attempted to smash a glass pane in the back door and it is thought they may have been disturbed by a neighbours dog barking. This incident happened between noon and 1pm. Crime reference number: 80011138.
- On the same day, between 6.30pm and 8.38pm, French doors at the back of a house in Birchmead were forced open. The thieves searched the house and stole Asian gold jewellery. Crime reference number: 80011285.
- Roberts Grove in Wokingham was targeted between 6.50pm and 6.57pm on Friday, January 12. A first floor bedroom window that opens onto a flat garage roof was forced open. Thieves then searched the house and stole items of jewellery stolen. An alarm was activated which alerted neighbours who contacted the police. A neighbour saw a man enter the house and then three men were seen running in front of the house. They then jumped over the fence into Blagrove Close/Drive. Crime reference number: 80012346.
- On Friday, January 12 between 5.30pm and 6.18pm, a home in The Delph, Earley was raided. Thieves damaged a conservatory window and forced the lock on the door. The upstairs area was searched and Asian gold and other jewellery stolen. Crime reference number: 80012324
- The lock on a home in Beech Lane, Earley was forced open on Sunday, January 14 around 3.50pm. The house was searched and cash and jewellery stolen. Crime reference number: 80013815
- An attempted raid was carried out on a home in Laurel Cottages Road overnight from Sunday, January 14 to Monday, January 15. Thames Valley Police said that there was damage around the from door and around the lock but the thieves were unable to break in.Crime reference number: 80015280.
- Euros were stolen from a home in Norris Green, Woodley on Sunday, January 14 between noon and 3pm. The door of the house was forced allowing the thieves to break in. Crime reference number: 80013725
- A home in Barkham Road was targeted sometime between 8am and 7.30pm on Monday, January 15. The thieves smashed the rear doors open and searched the house had been searched. The only item stolen was a watch left on the bedside table. Crime reference number: 80014971.
- On Tuesday, January 16 between 3pm and 9.15pm, an odd numbered house in the 450s on Reading Road was broken into. Thieves forced the lock and searched every room. They also removed a bath panel to check for valuables. Crime reference number: 80016264
- Two men were seen breaking into a home in Headley Road East, Woodley on Tuesday, January 16 around 4.10pm. Thames Valley Police said that when they realised someone was in the house the thieves ran out and were seen running from the house and getting into a grey Audi RS3 which was waiting in the doctors’ surgery car park. Crime reference number: 80015985
- Also the same evening, around 9pm, the thieves targeted a home in Kestrel Way, Wokingham. The lock on the front door was forced and the thieves searched the whole house including locked filing cabinets. Items stolen included cash, jewellery and a watch. They made off through the kitchen window and into the back garden jumping over fencing to get to the pathways. Crime reference number: 80016248
Thames Valley Police ask anyone with any information, CCTV footage or if you witness a crime to call them on 101. They also advise people that if they see something happening to someone’s house and you think someone may still be there to call 999.
