Burglar drove from Rochdale to target Notts Asian families for gold

thomas-hallissey-burglar-gold

A Rochdale man who travelled the 103 miles to Nottingham to target Asian families for gold jewellery has been jailed for four years.

Thomas Hallissey, of Wren Green in Rochdale, smashed a window on the first floor of a house in Spring Lane, Lambley, on Tuesday, February 16, and stole gold jewellery.

He used extendible ladders in another burglary just a week later to get in to the first floor window of a house in Gunnersbury Way, Nuthall. Cash and gold jewellery were stolen.

In both incidents the families returned to find their homes ransacked, but the 48-year-old Hallissey was identified through DNA left at the scene, along with CCTV footage.

Hallissey previously admitted two counts of burglary and theft and was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court.

Is your home secure? Police tips on deterring burglars 

Lock doors, even if you are in, and do not leave windows open in unattended rooms.

Don’t leave valuable items near or on view through windows and put your lights on a timer so they come on when it gets dark.

Consider investing in a safe to keep your jewellery and other valuable items secure. Have it professionally fitted to a solid foundation.

A Notts Police spokesman said: “Make sure your belongings are insured to their value, and register photographs and serial numbers of these items at www.immobilise.com.

“Report unusual or suspicious activity in your neighbourhood to police on 101.”