Thieves target widow’s keepsakes

"There is a lot of sentiment and a lot of connections that have been broken." Francie Dunlop

A widowis distraught after thieves ransacked her Palmerston North home and stole more than $20,000 worth of jewellery – including her late husband’s watch.

Francie Dunlop, 75, packed up her Sharon Place house in late November to move to Auckland to be closer to family after the death of her husband Jim in July.

But the already stressful process became even worse when she discovered her jewellery had been stolen, despite her wrapping it in clothing in preparation for the move.

When she went to get it out for church on November 27, she discovered almost all of her precious collection was gone.

‘‘There’s my engagement ring, my mum’s [engagement ring], my dad’s first wife’s engagement ring, my 60th birthday ring.

‘‘All the rings have been taken, besides one.’’

Fourteen rings were stolen, three sets of earrings, six bracelets and three necklaces, along with a silver Fossil Q smart men’s watch.

The hardest thing for Dunlop was the loss of her late husband’s watch.

He received it for his 75th birthday and was wearing it when he died in July.

‘‘There is a lot of sentiment and a lot of connections that have been broken.’’

Her husband’s death from a heart attack as he mowed the lawns had hit Dunlop hard.

‘‘We would joke about, ‘OK, if you die, I’ve got to go with you’.

‘‘But we always said it would be nice to go with boots on, doing things.

‘‘It was a lovely way for him to die, but he forgot to take me with him.’’

She lived in her Palmerston North home for 41 years and said it had never been burgled before.

‘‘They have rifled through my underwear and my clothing.’’

Dunlop begged anyone who had any of her stolen items to return them.

‘‘I just want it back. It’s really expensive jewellery – $20,000 worth of jewellery stolen and I know it’s going to be more.’’

Police said the investigation was ongoing.

Anyone with any information can contact Palmerston North police on 06 351 3600 or give information anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.