Brazen burglar targets vulnerable couple’s home in the middle of the afternoon.

A burglar has been caught on CCTV breaking into an elderly couple’s home, on the border of Oldham and Rochdale, while they were at home.

One of the couple is 89 and he suffers with severe vascular dementia, so didn’t realise he’d seen the burglar, who also had the nerve to speak to his victim. 

The burglary took place in the Thornham area of Rochdale, on the 3rd January at around 3pm. 

The incident has left the couple shocked and deeply traumatised, after realising afterwards they had both been in the property at the time, with the thief who was armed with a screwdriver.

Their daughter (who wants to remain anonymous), spoke to The Oldham Evening Chronicle and said: “My mum and dad have lived in that house for almost 36 years and have been married for 68 years.

“We're now having to move them into assisted living because we no longer think they are safe in the place they've called home after all these years, due to the actions of this evil individual.

“We just want him to be caught so he can't do this to other vulnerable people".

CCTV has caught the burglar on camera, as he prowled the house. Police say the burglar broke in by jamming the back gate open into the garden.

It’s thought he attempted to break in through the kitchen window first, but either didn't manage it or saw an easier opportunity in the living room.

The couple’s daughter told us: “My dad was actually sat in the living room and the burglar must have waited outside until he left the room.

“The cameras, which we have set up round the house to help keep track of what he’s doing due to his dementia, captures my dad leaving the room and the burglar smashing the window and entering immediately afterwards.

“He stops to have a look through some birthday presents but finds nothing of value and leaves the living room.

“He then makes his way into the hall where he starts peering round the door to check that my mum, who was sat in the front room, hasn't noticed him.

“You can also see at this point that he is carrying a screwdriver which he must have used to break in and we speculate it may have been used as a weapon if someone had intervened.”

The burglar managed to steal the elderly lady’s handbag, containing her purse and her jewellery box from the couple’s bedroom.  He then ran out of the back door. 

Anyone who recognises the man in the CCTV image is asked to contact Greater Manchester Police quoting incident number : CRI / 06PP / 240 / 20. Reports can also be made anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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