Christmas presents stolen from car found in major city returned to owners

22 December 2023 , 16:47

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David Jones, 51, and son Oli, 11 (Image: David Jones / SWNS)

Christmas presents stolen from a car and found in another suspected stolen vehicle have been returned to their rightful owners.

Avon and Somerset Police released images of the wrapped presents and labels on Tuesday in the hope of identifying their intended recipients before the big day. The gifts were taken from David Jones' car in Longwell Green, Bristol after he had been given to him, his partner and his two children by sisters Debbie Stevens and Sarah Crowley.

The police discovered the presents in a car reported stolen from Redfield, Bristol, and later found in Stokes Croft. A man and a woman were arrested on suspicion of stealing a motor vehicle. David Jones said: "I was absolutely gutted when I found they'd been stolen from the car.

"I told my sister and my partner but I just couldn't bring myself to tell the kids until it all came out yesterday. I was so taken aback when they were found it's just amazing and I'm grateful to everyone who's helped get them back."

The police discovered the presents in a car reported stolen from Redfield, Bristol, and later found in Stokes Croft (Avon and Somerset Police)

Debbie Stevens added: "We couldn't leave them without any presents so we went out and bought more some presents we bought again but we also bought different ones too. I couldn't believe it when I was told but then we found the Facebook post. It's such an amazing story and I'm so grateful they've been found."

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Inspector Matt Boiles said: "We're so pleased to be able to return these stolen Christmas presents. This is a great example of the power of our public appeals and the support we get from our communities.

"We hadn't previously linked the presents recovered from the back of a car until we issued photos of the wrapping and labels yet within hours David and Sarah had contacted us after seeing the appeal on social media."

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Rachel Hagan