Chittering Murder: Stolen Property

By Tom Horn, 18th January 2012, 15:34

Police investigating the murder of a pensioner in Chittering, near Cambridge, have identified items stolen from his home.

Police believe 76 year old Llewelyn Thomas [pictured - right] was murdered in his home on Ely Road during a burglary that went wrong on Saturday 17th December.

With the assistance of the victim's son, detectives have identified property that was stolen from the house.

Officers are now trying to trace this property by speaking with local second hand and pawn shops.

The property stolen includes four watches.

They include:

• Seiko Bell-Matic men's watch, with marks on the glass and a loose shoulder strap. It has a silver dial and a stainless silver bracelet. This was a present to his son on his 13^th or 14^th birthday.
• Roamer men's watch. Rose gold in a 1940s or 50s design. It has a champagne coloured face with rose gold hands and numerals – 12, 3, 6, 9. It has a thin dark leather bracelet. It was a gift to Mr Thomas from his late wife.
• Tag Heuer watch – kept in a leather/suedette box. This was a retirement gift and had never been worn. It has a silver and gold bracelet, two-tone satin metal and is a late 90s model with a silver or white face. 
• Breitling (copy) – purchased in Thailand. Stainless steel with quartz movement.

Detective Superintendent Jeff Hill said: "These watches are very distinctive and would be instantly recognisable.

Many of them are also of sentimental value – either as a retirement gift, a present to his son or from his wife. 

It is vitally important we track down these items as soon as possible. 

I would urge anyone who has been offered these items or knows of their whereabouts to call police."

Along with the watches, a silver tea set which was a wedding gift was stolen.

It is made up of a Victorian-style tea pot, sugar bowl and cream jug. 

The tea pot was heavily decorated with a sculpted pattern. 

It had a black handle on the tea pot and a black flower shaped, or fluted knob, on the lid. 

The sugar bowl has silver handles.

A black leather horseshoe men's wallet was also taken.

Detectives believe more than one person may have been in the house when Mr Thomas was killed.

Forensic investigations at the house are due to continue for at least another two weeks.

Det Supt Hill added: "I would urge anyone who was in the house on that night to contact police. 

We believe this started out as a burglary which went terribly wrong. 

There may well be people out there who were in the house and know what happened. 

We need to speak to those people and establish exactly what happened. 

We are currently carrying out a raft of forensic tests at the house which hopefully will establish who was there on the night Mr Thomas died. 

If you were present, it is very likely you would have left a trace in the house. 

If you were not directly involved in the murder of Mr Thomas it is very much in your interest to contact police and let us know what happened."

A 22-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman remain on bail after begin arrested in connection with the investigation. 

Anyone with any information about the death of Mr Thomas is asked to call the Major Investigations Team on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.