Police helicopter joined in hunt for suspected burglars

Police say they were called to Dower Walk at 2.12pm, after a man was seen climbing in through a window, then letting an accomplice in through a door.

They were seen taking a black rucksack out of the back of a dark blue Mercedes, which was parked in Buckswood Drive, before entering the property.

A statement from Sussex Police said: “It is thought that they may have been disturbed as there are no indications that anything was stolen from the property at this time.

“The car was seen to drive swiftly away and was coincidentally spotted by a police unit on another emergency call in Crawley Avenue.

“The way it was being driven alerted officers and it appears the driver was spooked by seeing the police car and drove away recklessly in to Horsham Road where it was seen by an off duty police officer. It was later found abandoned in Lodge Close, Crawley.

“The first man is described as of tanned or middle eastern appearance, around 40 and wearing dark clothes. The second man is of similar ethnic appearance, aged about 30, 5’10” to 5’11”, of slim build and wearing a red top.

“Police would also like to talk to a woman who was standing at a bus stop in Buckswood Drive who may have useful information about the incident. She was middle eastern, about 30, 5’3” to 5’4”, of heavy build, wearing a cream or beige top, black baggy trousers, black headscarf and carrying an umbrella.

“It is known that there were a number of witnesses, both walking and driving, when the car fled from police and officers are very keen to hear from any of those people.

“Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information about it is asked to email [email protected] or call 101 quoting serial 956 of 26/07.”

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