Tortoise stolen from house by masked intruder armed with knife

On Thursday morning, it was reported that the male occupant of a house in Elliots Place was awakened at around midnight to find a male masked intruder in his property.

When he confronted the intruder, who is believed to have been armed with a knife, the male made off on foot. He fled with a number of items from the house, including medals which are of sentimental value, and he snatched the occupant’s pet, a Horsfield’s tortoise.

Detective Sergeant Ritchie said: “A number of items stolen from the property were recovered a short distance away. However, the medals and the householder’s pet tortoise remain missing. The victim is understandably upset and concerned that the tortoise, which requires specialist knowledge and care, may come to harm.

“I am appealing to anyone who may have been in the area at the time and saw anything suspicious to get in touch with us. I would also ask that anyone who comes across the tortoise, or the medals reported stolen, to call us on 101.”

You can also submit a report online using our non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/