Medal theft arrest

The alleged thief of priceless World War II medal and a 42-year-old ring has been arrested.

Police charged a 30-year-old man in relation to the December 18 burglary of Ian Jones’ Redwood, Christchurch home, where both Jones’ and his father’s fire service medals were taken.

Most of his wife Marjorie’s jewellery, including the engagement ring and a 40-year anniversary ring, a coin collection, a ring left to Jones by a friend, foreign currency and cameras also went missing.

But ‘‘the most devastating thing’’, Jones said at the time, was losing an uncle’s New Zealand Memorial Cross, given to the family after he was killed fighting in El Alamein, Egypt in 1941.

‘‘I had those all down in my will to give to my son, of course, but that might not happen now.’’

The alleged burglar would appear in the Christchurch District Court today charged with three counts of burglary, a police spokeswoman said.

The two other charges related to burglaries on Harewood Rd, Bishopdale, on November 16 and Johns Rd, Belfast, on December 7.

Police were unable to comment on whether any of the items from the three burglaries were recovered as the matter was now before the courts, she said.

Jones said they were ‘‘not going to become victims over this ratbag’’, but they did not expect to get their items back.

‘‘I had the insurance people here and they said they think these people get rid of it pretty quick.’’