CRUEL thieves stole more than 100 pieces of jewellery from an OAP’s home after he popped out to his local supermarket.
The 66-year-old spent more than 30 years buying the jewellery as presents for his wife and 23-year-old daughter and storing it at his Edinburgh home.
He said he was “devastated” after thieves smashed their way into his house while he did his weekly grocery shop.
A decorative Argentinean knife was also stolen, with the entire loot valued at around £8,000.
The OAP said he was still in shock following last week’s burglary.
He said: “My wife is from Argentina and we had owned the knife for many years. It sat on our hall table and we use it to open letters.
“The jewellery collection was made up of pieces I had collected over the past 30 years for my daughter and my wife and it had great sentimental value.
“Many of the pieces were hand-made items by Scottish jewellers and were purchased at Scottish Galleries.
“It has been a real shock and very devastating to us. I had just walked down to Waitrose and it was during the hour and a half that I was away that the thieves entered my home.”
He said his grandmother’s antique ring and his wife’s grandmother’s antique watch were amongst the stolen loot.
“They also stole my daughter’s iPhone, but thankfully she was on holiday.”
He added: “Many of the items stolen had great sentimental value. It’s like losing a part of your life. It is very disturbing.”
Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for witnesses following the high-value break-in and theft.
The incident happened sometime between 2.30pm and 4.30pm on Tuesday July 24 at Craighall Bank, to the north of the city.
The total value of the stolen objects is estimated at around £8,000.
Officers are now urging anyone who can assist with their enquiries to come forward.
A police spokesman said: “The victim has been left devastated by the theft of his property and we have been working alongside him for the last week to establish exactly what has been taken and the values of these goods.
“During that time we have conducted local enquiries to determine whether any residents in Craighall Bank saw anything suspicious last Tuesday afternoon.
“We would now urge anyone else who was in the area between 2.30pm and 4.30pm to come forward if they witnessed this break in or if they have any other information that can help with our investigation.
“Many of these items are very distinctive and anyone who comes across them is asked to contact police immediately.”
