Hove homes burgled

A number of homes in Hove were burgled over five days at the end of September.

Police found property, which they believe was stolen, they have arrested a man and they are looking for second suspect.

Sussex Police said that officers wanted to reunite the recovered items with their rightful owner.

They include a Samsung mobile phone, a 2013 diary, a black Nokia mobile phone, reading glasses in a Pepsi case and four small pendants.

The burglaries under investigation began in St Leonard’s Road with a break-in between 1.45pm and 6.45pm on Thursday 26 September.

A dark blue handbag was stolen and possibly thrown away near by. It contained a navy or black leather purse and a turquoise cardholder containing several bank cards.

At 7.20pm on the same day a man was disturbed after entering a property in Walsingham Road, possibly through an insecure rear door.

Between midnight and 7.20am last Saturday (28 September) a property in Westbourne Gardens was entered through a rear door and a handbag and three purses were stolen.

The bag and one purse were thrown away near by and the other purses may have been similarly discarded. They contained store and membership cards.

Between 1am and 7.30am on the Saturday, a property was entered through an insecure rear door.

And in Langdale Road at 4.40am a man wearing a balaclava was disturbed after forcing entry through a rear window.

At 6.30am on Monday (30 September) a lean, tall man wearing a dark hooded top was disturbed in premises in Sheridan Terrace.

PC Jessica Terrill, said: “If anyone finds any of the discarded items described, they are asked to handle them carefully and contact police so that they can be forensically examined.”

Mark McElwee, 41, unemployed, of Carlisle Road, Hove, was arrested last Friday (27 September) and appeared before Brighton magistrates on Monday.

He was charged with burglary and theft in Langdale Road, Hove. He was bailed to attend Lewes Crown Court on Tuesday 22 October.

A second man is still being sought.

Anyone with information about the Hove burglaries or any others is asked to phone Sussex Police on 101 or email contact.centre@sussex.pnn.police.uk.

They can also leave an anonymous message by calling the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.