Two men were seen carrying a safe down the street, just minutes after a burglary at a house in Wistaston Green in Crewe, detectives said.
A house was broken into on Bramhall Road when no one was at home at around 10.05am on Monday (March 11) and a safe containing a quantity of jewellery was stolen.
Burglars approached and left the house via the direction of Adlington Close/Adlington Road.
Two men wearing dark tops were seen carrying a safe walking out of Adlington Close at around 11am.
Their faces were covered, one with a hood.
Detectives are urging anyone in the area and saw anything that may be relevant to their investigation to come forward.
They also want to speak to anyone who believes they may know who was responsible for the burglary, or have CCTV or dashcam footage of them, as well as to anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the stolen safe or jewellery.
Detective Constable Jayne Boote said: “Burglary is a serious offence in which victims are targeted in their own home, which is the place they should be able to feel most safe.
“In this case no-one was home at the time of the offence but the owners have been left devastated after jewellery with great sentimental value was stolen by whoever broke into their house.”
The safe contained a Queen Victoria gold sovereign coin, in a gold mount, that was possibly dated 1999.
Two distinctive watches were also inside the safe, a gold-plated 26-jewel Carronade Incabloc from the 1970s and a Timex without a strap.
The Carronade Incabloc has a gold-plated strap that stretches open – there is no fastener. The back of the watch is made of stainless steel.
The Timex watch has a plain white face with the initials ‘IM’ scratched on the back.
DC Boote added: “We are determined to find out who committed the burglary and make them face the consequences of their actions, as well as to recover the stolen jewellery.
“Enquiries are ongoing and I appeal to anyone who was in the area and witnessed, or has CCTV or dashcam footage of, anything that may help our investigation to get in touch.
“The same goes for anyone who believes they may have seen, or been offered the chance to buy, the distinctive stolen coin or watches since the incident occurred.”
Anyone with information or CCTV footage that may aid detectives with their investigation should call Cheshire Constabulary on 101, quoting IML 344059, give the details via https://cheshire.police.uk/contact/general-enquiries or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Dashcam footage can be submitted online at www.cheshire.police.uk/advice-and-support/roads-and-vehicle-safety/submit-dashcam-footage
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