TORTOLA, BVI (CMC):

A thief broke into the home of Chief Minister Dr. Orlando Smith on Wednesday evening, cleaning out valuables and gifts before escaping, police said.

Smith and his wife Lorna left their residence at some time after 4.00 pm. to do the 'final touches' for the Christmas party hosted by them later that evening at the Long Bay Beach Resort.

thief escapes

But when they returned home about half-an-hour later, they encountered a man in the house. They called out and the thief escaped through a window.

"I have lost possessions that are of sentimental value to me, including my wedding ring that I have had for 25 years," Mrs. Smith told the Caribbean Media Corporation, Thursday. "The gifts can be replaced but certain jewellery means a lot to me."

A police report described the intruder as being about five feet eight inches tall and wearing a white sleeveless vest and dark short pants.

"Investigations revealed that the intruder entered the residence through a closed but unlocked door and managed to escape through his point of entry by jumping over the porch and disappearing in the yard," the report said.