A FAMILY from the town centre were left reeling after a burglar targeted their home and made off with hundreds of pounds worth of sentimental jewellery and a one-of-a-kind Barnsley FC beer bottle.
John Shaw, who lives on Cemetery Road, was outraged after returning home from a fishing trip on Monday afternoon to find his front windows were smashed.
The 37-year-old bus driver was devastated to find that the criminals broke into his home and ransacked the entire house.
The burglar pocketed his partner’s parents’ wedding rings, hundreds of pounds worth of jewellery, Christmas presents for his family and his work laptop.
Now John is determined to find those responsible and is warning others in the area to remain vigilant.
He told the Chronicle: “It was devastating. This happened in the middle of the day whilst me and my partner were out of the house.
“I came home and was shocked to see my windows completely smashed in and a laptop bag outside the front door.
“I came inside and saw that someone had looked through everything and stolen a lot of sentimental items.
“Those involved had taken some items that we can never replace. One is a bottle of beer with Toby Tyke for Barnsley FC embossed on the front.
“This was handmade and one-of-a-kind we have had this for over 20 years. It’s the sentimental items that are most heartbreaking to lose.
“We don’t care about the money, it’s the face we have lost things that can no longer be replaced like family jewellery passed down through generations.
“My work laptop, with two years of work saved on it, has been taken. My work life was on that laptop.”
John is determined to make his experience the last, by warning others of the intrusion and what to look out for.
“I’m absolutely fuming - I’m angry that someone has intruded on our home and helped themselves to our things.
“We’ve had multiple reports of people trying doors on our neighbourhood overnight. I advise all local residents to be vigilant and leave nothing open and easy to grab.
“Our dog was alone in the house and was startled by the loud noises. Who knows what could have happened if the dog was in the way of the smashed window?
“Luckily, those responsible were cut by the smashed glass, and I’m confident that the DNA could help catch those responsible.”
A spokesperson for South Yorkshire Police said: “Officers are investigating reports of a burglary at a property on Cemetery Road in Barnsley.
“It is believed that on November 23 between the hours of 6am and 4.30pm, offenders gained access to the property by smashing a window.
“Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting crime reference number 14/172924/20.”
