Hunt for 'Dracula' thieves

Feb 5 2009 by Sophie Doughty The Journal

MEN wearing Dracula masks are being hunted after thieves crept into homes to take keys and steal cars from outside.

The thefts in the villages of Stocksfield and Ovingham, in Northumberland, took place on Monday. Police believe the sneak thieves crept into two houses, while the owners were inside, and took their car keys, before stealing their cars from outside.

And they are now hunting two men, who were wearing what looked like Dracula masks, spotted near to where the offences took place.

The first incident happened on New Ridley Road in Stocksfield.

It is believed the opportunist thieves entered a house and took the car keys from the kitchen, before driving off in a grey BMW X5, which was outside.

The car was later found burned-out at Tynefield, in Consett, County Durham.

Then, later that evening a red and silver Mitsubishi pick-up truck that was parked at North Meadows in nearby Ovingham, was also stolen, after keys were taken from a house.

Police are now urging anyone who saw the vehicles to get in touch.

And officers would also like to hear from anyone who might have seen two men wearing Dracula masks, in Stocksfield at around the time of the first theft.