Detectives probe north Belfast burglary of pensioner’s home

DETECTIVES are hunting a gang of thieves with Irish accents who burgled and ransacked an elderly man’s north Belfast home.

The pensioner, who is in his 70s, opened the front door of his Kilcoole Park home around 1pm on Wednesday to a man claiming to be from a water utility company.

During the distraction burglary, two other men entered the house, ransacked an upstairs bedroom and a stole a number of pieces of jewellery.

The thieves fled and the pensioner was not hurt but left shocked by the burglary.

Detectives at Antrim Road CID have appealed for witnesses or anyone with information about the burglary to contact them.

Officers say the man who called at the door is aged around 25, 5ft 9in tall, of slim build, was wearing a black woollen hat, black waterproof jacket, tan trousers and spoke with a southern Irish accent.

The second gang membrs is aged around 20, 5ft 8in tall, of heavy build, was wearing a brown coloured beanie hat and also spoke with a southern Irish accent.

The third gang member was in his late teens.

All three were wearing yellow and green industrial-type gloves.

Anyone with information can contact detectives on 0845 600 8000 or ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.