Brave neighbour chases them off the scene empty-handed
A plucky neighbour chased off two burglars who had hired a minicab to wait for them while they ransacked a house in Chiswick.
The incident happened in Cornwall Grove, off Chiswick Lane, on December 23rd at around 8.30pm while the owners were enjoying a pre-Christmas night out.
Police said the suspects had hired the minicab to travel to the address, and asked the driver to wait at the end of the road. The driver, who was unaware of their intentions, remained in the vehicle, while the two men walked off saying they had to collect something.
However, an eagle-eyed neighbour spotted the suspects, who had forced their way into the house through a front window, remove property and carry it to the minicab. He challenged the men as they were about to make off with a large flat-screen television, and shouted to the minicab driver that the property was being stolen.
The two suspects ran off before police arrived on the scene. Police are searching for two men, one white, one black, aged 18-22 years old.
Police have also warned of an increase in theft of unattended property in Chiswick High Road. Mobile phones, purses and handbags have all been stolen from various locations along the High Road, including pubs and coffee shops. Generally the property has been left unattended on a table or in a bag, whilst the owner has gone to purchase a drink. A police spokesman has urged people not to leave property unattended in public places.
Overall the W4 area had fewer reported crimes between 20/12/2011 to 10/1/2012 compared to the same period the previous year. Burglaries increased by one. Thefts of property left in parked vehicles remains a problem despite Safer Neighbourhood Teams leafleting areas around W4. The team have increased patrols both in uniform and in plain clothes to try and deter further offences.
January 13, 2012