Police arrest boy, 14, in connection with Rainham engagement ring burglary
Walter and Jean Gardiner who were happily married for 64 years until Walter died in 2015. Burglars have stolen Jean's engagement ring, inset, from Rainham, and the family are devastated. Picture: Gardiner Family - Credit: Gardiner Family
Police have arrested a 14-year-old boy in connection with the burglary of precious family jewellery, including a 66-year-old engagement ring, in Rainham.
On Wednesday the Gardiner family reported a break in at their home, in Warwick Road, at around 1pm.
A Met spokesman said: “Witnesses reported two males breaking into the property and then fleeing in a car driven by a third person.”
Thieves allegedly took grandmother Jean’s engagement ring, given to her 66 years earlier by her late husband Walter, who died in 2015.
Walter proposed to Jean when he was just 20 years old, after returning from the navy, and they remained happily married Walter’s death two years ago.
Jean, 84, has been left heartbroken, and “couldn’t stop crying” according to her granddaughter Jess Dellar-Gardiner.
Jess told the Recorder: “We don’t care about the other stuff, they can keep that, we just want the ring back.”
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Yesterday a 14-year-old boy attended an east London police station, where he was arrested on suspicion of burglary.
He is currently in custody.
Officers from the East Area Command Unit continue to investigate.
