Gloucestershire Police in Wotton-under-Edge are appealing for information following a terrifying home invasion targeting an elderly man last week. The incident occurred at approximately 8pm on Thursday, October 5, when a group of five masked men forcibly entered the victim’s residence.
The victim, a man in his late 80s, was subjected to threats and physical aggression within the confines of his own home. Although he did not sustain physical injuries, the traumatic experience has left him deeply shaken. Authorities are urging anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity in the area leading up to the incident to come forward with any information that may assist the investigation.
PC Samuel Hall, who is leading the case, expressed the urgency of gathering relevant details: “This was a really horrible incident with a man aged in his late 80s being threatened in his own home. While we’re trying to piece together what happened and who is responsible, we’re keen to hear from anyone who has spotted any suspicious activity in the area recently.”
Investigators believe that the perpetrators arrived at the scene in one or more vehicles. Therefore, individuals with dashcam footage or CCTV recordings covering the period between 19.00 and 20.30 on October 5 are encouraged to review their footage for any unusual occurrences.
The criminals forcefully gained access to the property by breaching a side door. Once inside, they brandished weapons and proceeded to search the house. Among the stolen items were cash, an empty safe, a wallet, jewellery, and a jewellery box. The police are particularly interested in any leads related to the stolen safe, as its recovery may provide valuable evidence.
In an effort to gather additional information, officers have conducted house-to-house inquiries in the vicinity. However, they are now turning to the public for assistance. Individuals who may have witnessed suspicious vehicles or individuals in the Wotton-under-Edge and Charfield areas are urged to come forward with any relevant details.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the police by visiting the Gloucestershire Police website and completing the online form. When submitting information, please reference incident number 440 of October 5.
