Reward to recover firearms stolen from farm house: Boltby
(YO7 - Wednesday, 24 June, 2009)

Boltby Farm House Burglary - £15,000-worth of rewards on offer as investigation continues.

Police investigating an aggravated burglary in which an elderly man was tied up and left overnight are appealing for information to trace five firearms that were stolen in the raid.

The victim, who is aged in his 70s, is offering a £5,000 reward for the safe return of his firearms.

He is also offering a further £10,000 for information that leads to the conviction of the offenders.

The incident occurred at a farm house at Boltby, near Thirsk, North Yorkshire, at around 11pm on Saturday 21 February 2009.

A group of masked men broke into the property and tied up and assaulted the elderly homeowner.

They then drove off in the man's car with a haul including two rifles, two shotguns, an air rifle and a sum of money.

Following inquiries, four men - aged 39, 38, 35 and 33 - were arrested in connection with the incident on 8 April 2009. They are from Rotherham, Selby,

Doncaster and Barnsley respectively. They have been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

As part of the investigation, detectives are appealing for assistance to trace the firearms that were stolen. Hundreds of posters are being distributed around North Yorkshire and in South Yorkshire.

North Yorkshire Police is also targeting readers of specialist firearms and field sports publications to see if any of the weapons have been offered for sale.

The stolen firearms are:

• Ruger .22RF self-loading rifle, serial number  242-46235
• Remington .222 Rem bolt-action rifle, serial number C6629502
• A pair (x2) of Hogan & Colbourne side-by-side 12 bore shotguns, which have very distinctive engravings on the sides of a spaniel gun dog.
• The serial numbers of which are 1049 and 1050.
• RWS .22 Excalibur air rifle with telescopic sight, serial number 7833

Detective Sergeant Darrin Knight said:

"This incident was a particularly vicious and frightening ordeal for the elderly victim. The manner in which he was

tied up and left alone overnight caused a great deal of emotional strain

"As well ensuring the suspects are brought to justice, it is also vital that the five firearms are traced and returned to their rightful owner.

"This is for the victim's own sentimental reasons, especially in relation to the pair of rare Hogan & Colbourne shotguns which bore engravings of a much-loved spaniel gun dog.

"It is also important that the firearms are recovered so they are not used by the criminal fraternity."

If anyone can help locate the firearms or has any information that could assist the investigation, please contact the "Operation Bestrew" investigation team at North Yorkshire Police on 0845 60 60 24 7.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Police Force: North Yorkshire

Address:
Boltby
Thirsk
YORKSHIRE
YO7