Pair drop loot in McDonald’s raid
TWO hard working housekeepers at Edge Hill University in Ormskirk recovered a valuable piece of jewellery from inside a Henry vacuum cleaner.
The engagement ring was lost while the owner was clapping during a graduation ceremony.
Housekeepers Brenda Wilkinson and Marion Scarisbrick were quick to rip open Henry’s dust bag after hearing that the parent had lost her engagement ring.
After delving through the dust and dirt they found the large, sparkling, flower shaped diamond surrounded by smaller diamonds and returned it to the grateful owner.
Brenda, 60, who has worked at the university for eight years, said: “We heard that one of the graduate’s parents had been clapping during the ceremony and had watched her diamond setting come flying out of her engagement ring.
“She watched it roll down the seating rows in front but couldn’t find it after the ceremony. She was absolutely devastated as she’s been married for a long time, over 40 years.”
Marion, also 60, who has worked there for eight years alongside Brenda as friend and colleague, added: “We were halfway through vacuuming the hall when we heard what had happened.
“We ripped open the Hoover bag and through all the dirt and dust we could see it sparkling. It was beautiful and we spotted it straight away.
“Apparently the woman was thrilled to get it back and was overcome with emotion. I’m just so glad we could help.”
The friends, who clean buildings around the campus, including The Hollies accommodation halls, are no strangers to finding treasured possessions.
Marion explained: “We tend to find wallets, mobile phones, cameras and keys across campus and return them to their owners but this is the first time we’ve had a mission to find something so valuable and precious.”
Earlier this month the pair received an “Above and Beyond” student award after being nominated by residents of The Hollies accommodation halls, who praised their happy, friendly and conscientious nature.
Students of the university also praised the care and interest they took in their studies and research and how they always offered a shoulder to cry on if needed. MERSEYSIDE police are appealing for help to find bungling thieves who tripped and dropped cash boxes as they fled after a robbery at McDonald’s.
The pair struck at the fast food restaurant at Switch Island near Maghull at around 9.15am on Sunday morning.
Police said that the men entered the restaurant and jumped over the serving counter before entering the office at the back of the premises.
They threatened the manager and a cash delivery guard before stealing the cash boxes.
But as they left the restaurant one of the wouldbe thieves fell over, dropping the cash boxes.
He and his accomplice then drove off in a black BMW, which was later found Bootle.
No-one was injured during the attempted robbery but staff and customers were reported to have been distressed by the incident.
The men were described as tall and had their faces and hands covered. It is believed they were carrying some sort of weapon or weapons. abandoned in Detectives made inquiries at the scene, including examining CCTV footage, carrying out forensic examinations and speaking to witnesses.
Anyone who was in the McDonald’s or nearby at the time who witnessed the incident or captured any camera footage of it is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.