Intruders smashed down gates and a fence as they rampaged round a cricket pitch and the grounds of a mansion house before fleeing, witnesses told Wokingham Today.
A Hurst Neighbourhood Watch member said: “There was a chase. The intruders’ 4×4 vehicle was doing very high speeds round the cricket pitch, trying to find a way out.
“There was shouting from the police for them to stop.”
Richard Bassett who lives nearby said there was a lucky escape for the resident of a mobile home in the house grounds.
“They broke into the home, luckily for [the resident] he wasn’t there,” he said.
A police spokesperson said: “At around 1am on [May 9] Thames Valley Police received reports of a burglary in Broadcommon Road, Hurst. A variety of tools were stolen from the property.
“Then, at 2am we received reports of a burglary in Hinton Road, Hurst.
“Officers attended the scene, and were confronted by a silver Honda CRV without registration plates. The driver failed to stop, and drove through a wooden fence to get off the victim’s premises. Nothing was stolen at this property.”
The cricket pitch lies between Broadcommon and Hinton Roads.
Mr Bassett and his wife have praised the person who called the police to the chaos. That had been “the saving grace”. And they’re grateful to the police for arriving so quickly.
Mr Bassett said: “The intruders managed to get through an internal metal gate. They proceeded to a barn where there were tools and gardening equipment that they I guess packed into their truck.
“It appears the truck they had couldn’t get under the arch to the main house. They went around and then across the lawn near to the house.”
The intruders had fled out of the main entrance to his home.
The couple had heard crashing when the vehicle hit a fence. Gates were also smashed through, said Mr Bassett. The couple’s large Maremmas Italian mountain dogs “were going crazy”, barking at the tumult.
The intruders “could probably tell they weren’t chihuahuas,” he added.
“It happened so fast I didn’t really have time to think about it too much. We saw the police flash lights as they surveyed the scene. We were told two police cars were searching the area for the truck afterwards.”
The Hurst Neighbourhood Watch member said: “People heard the noise of smashing and saw torches there. The police were around until nearly 4am, they were excellent.
“They came with dog handlers to search the area.”
The Thames Valley Police spokesperson added: “We are appealing to anyone who may have video doorbell footage or information that could assist with our investigation, to please get in touch. You can do so by calling 101 or report online via the website, quoting reference 43220199303.”
Hurst parish councillor Paul Palmer has called for CCTV at strategic places in the village.
