A burglar escaped with a diamond watch worth £5,500 after fighting with the occupants of a house during an early-morning raid in Middleton.
The incident occurred at around 12.30am on Sunday March 1, when the offender climbed into the back garden of a house on Mainway and used a tool to force open the patio doors.
Using one of the victim’s bags to collect valuables, he then searched the property, taking a Christian Dior ladies watch, car keys and other jewellery as he went from room to room.
However, awoken by the noise, the occupants of the house tackled the intruder and wrestled with him in an attempt to stop him from escaping.
The offender dropped the bag filled with stolen property and injured his leg in the scuffle, but managed to escape with the watch and a set of car keys as he exited down the stairs and out the patio doors towards Malvern Road.
GMP Detective Constable Andrew Robinson said: “The occupants of the house showed great bravery in tackling this man, who unfortunately was able to give them the slip.
“However, we believe the burglar may have injured his leg in the struggle so he would have found it difficult to get away in the aftermath.
“He dropped most of what he had taken, but still ran off with a black Christian Dior ladies watch with diamonds on the face.
The offender is described as white and was wearing a black hat or balaclava, grey tracksuit bottoms, a grey hooded tracksuit top and a dark coloured body warmer.
The investigation revealed he is likely to have driven to the address in a stolen silver Ford Focus, which was found bearing a false registration plate at the junction of Moss Lane and Worcester Road in Middleton.
If you believe you saw anything which may assist out investigation, please contact police on 0161 856 8701 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Image courtesy of Google Maps, with thanks.
