THIEVES stole mountain bikes worth £2,000 from a home in Penycae – and returned a week later for second helpings.
They forced their way into a shed on Afoneitha Road on or around Saturday, December 10 and made off with a matching pair of bikes and top-of-the-range power tools.
Horrified homeowners Donna Oakley, 39, and her husband Phil, 40, fitted their shed with an alarm to prevent another break-in but the brazen thieves returned on Saturday to help themselves to more.
Luckily the new alarm sounded and the thieves fled empty-handed.
Mrs Oakley told the Leader: “I honestly think they had their hands full on the first attempt, and have come again to get the rest of our valuables.
“I just cannot believe they tried their luck a second time.
“It’s not what you need the week before Christmas.”
On the first occasion, thieves stole matching red GT iDrive mountain bikes and drills belonging to self-employed plasterer Phil.
The couple, whose home was already fitted with CCTV cameras but which were not working, reinstalled the cameras in the hope of catching another would-be intruder.
It is thought the thieves returned again at around 4.45pm on Saturday while the couple were out Christmas shopping.
“The camera on the front of the house captures a man in a hooded top knocking on our front door for about a minute,” said Mrs Oakley.
“Then the camera on the back shows another man climb over the wall and smash a shovel into the shed window. Then the alarm sounds and he runs off.”
This intruder was also wearing a hooded top and a ‘grandad-style’ cap, added Mrs Oakley.
She said the break-ins have had a debilitating effect on her husband.
“Phil will hardly leave the house now because he wants to stay and guard it,” she added.
“It’s eating him away, but you can’t sit and watch your property all of the time.”
The couple are liaising with their insurers to recover the cost of the stolen goods.
A spokesman for North Wales Police confirmed officers that were looking into the reported thefts.
Anyone with information should call 101 (if in Wales) or 0845 6071002.