POLICE are linking two crimes which happened in Bromsgrove between Sunday and Monday (May 4 and 5).
The first was a burglary in Counting House Way, Stoke Heath, in which an Aston Villa football shirt, hooded jacket and an empty handbag were taken.
That happened between 10pm on the Sunday and 3.45pm on the Monday when the raiders got in through an unlocked gate at the back of the house and then through the unlocked back patio door.
The property was discarded in an adjacent alley.
The other incident, which police believe is linked, was the break-in of a car in Buntsford Hill – that was was also between Sunday and Monday.
Thieves threw a brick through a window and stole a handbag. That handbag was found dumped in the garden of the property in Counting House Way with everything in there, apart from some loose change.
DC Paul Lettis from West Mercia Police has urged any witnesses or anyone with any information to call him on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.