Elderly woman dies after discovering Oaktree Crescent home had been burgled

An elderly woman has died after discovering that her home in Bradley Stoke had been burgled.

Police say they were called at 12.39pm on Thursday 22nd May to a report of a burglary at a house in Oaktree Crescent.

The householders were away and the call was made by a relative who checked on the property and found the door had been forced. Cash and jewellery had been stolen.

After the householders returned that afternoon, the lady, who was in her 70s, became ill and was taken to hospital by ambulance. Sadly, she died overnight.

Detective Inspector Jill Kells said:

“Our thoughts are with the family at this very difficult time, and we have appointed a specially-trained officer to support them as we carry out our investigation. We have arrested three men in connection with our enquiries into this burglary and another burglary in Hambrook Lane, Stoke Gifford, that same afternoon. However I would appeal for anyone with any information which could help this investigation to contact us by calling 101 quoting reference 51255/14.”

In relation to the Stoke Gifford incident on the same afternoon, police say they were called just before 3.45pm to a report of a burglary in progress at a house in Hambrook Lane, with three men spotted at the scene.

Three suspects were detained later that afternoon and remain in custody today, Friday 23rd May, having been further arrested in connection with the burglary in Bradley Stoke.

Jewellery stolen in both burglaries has not been recovered.

Officers have been carrying out-door-to-door enquiries in both areas and Crime Scene Investigators have examined both properties.

The lady’s death has been referred to the coroner.

Source: Press release from Avon and Somerset Police.