FOUR armed men broke into a Swallowfield house and forced a man at home with his seven-year-old son to show them where a range of valuables were kept in an aggravated burglary.
The incident took place around 9.30pm on Saturday, March 10 in a home in Spring Lane and police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.
The gang entered the home by smashing a pane of glass at the back of the home. Police said that they found the owner, a man aged in his thirties, with his seven-year-old son in the sitting room.
They then forced him to take them around the house and show them the location of the safes, valuables and a gun safe.
Items stolen included:
- A Rolex watch, with the serial number 4442049 model number 1002/0, dating from the 1970s with a black leather strap was stolen. The watch had ‘M&D 2000’ engraved on the back.
- AYA no.2 side-by-side 12 bore shotgun with wooden stock and grey gunmetal barrels. It has the serial number 558093.
- Standard 12 bore shotgun shells, mostly 28g 6’s from various manufacturers.
- A set of silver Georgian cutlery in a box and a black leather Mont Blanc man’s wallet.
- The offenders then left the scene in a red car. No one was injured during the incident.
The main offender is described as a black man, approximately 5ft 10ins, of a chunky build, and aged in his late twenties. He had a London accent and was dressed in black from head to toe.
He carried a knife and a hammer.
The other men were also dressed in black and all were wearing balaclavas.
One man was about 6ft and had a slim to average build. He was carrying a wooden or metal stake.
Several members of the group had white soles with a white star on their black trainers.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Joanna Williams, of Berkshire Force CID, said: “Detectives are working to establish the circumstances of the aggravated burglary and we are appealing for the public’s help.
“If anyone has witnessed anything they think could be significant, seen any suspicious activity in the area of the offence, or been offered the property, please contact police.”
Anyone with information relating to this case, is asked to call 101 quoting reference ‘43180074116’, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously
An interview with the victim will appear in Thursday’s Wokingham Paper
