An elderly man who was confronted by burglars after returning to his Bolton home was smashed over the head when attempting to tackle one of the fleeing thieves yesterday.
The 71-year-old had gone out for a short walk and returned to his home on Barley Brook Meadow in Sharples at around 11.15am when he noticed that his side-gate was open.
He then approached the rear of the house and saw a burglar running towards the fence followed by a second thief who then came through the patio doors.
After attempting to tackle the criminal, he was struck across the head with an item believed to be stolen and the men fled with Cash, two computer tablets and a camera toward Sharples High School and the leisure centre.
Detective Sergeant Rob Parker said: “We are extremely keen to identify these two men, who broke into this house in broad daylight and even had the audacity to attack this man when he confronted one of the men for being in his home.
“Thankfully, the victim was not injured during this ordeal.”
The two men are described as white, in their late teens and around 5ft 8in tall. They were wearing dark jogging bottoms and dark hooded tops with the hoods pulled up.
DS Parker added: “We believe there may have been a number of dog walkers in the area at the time of this crime and we are also appealing to them to come forward and help us with our enquiries – did you see two men hanging around this estate in Sharples on Sunday morning or did you see them running away afterwards?”
Anyone with information should call officers directly at Astley Bridge police station on 0161 856 5761 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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