The raid was discovered by the 75-year-old householder when he returned to his home in Carnegie Street, Dumfries around 11.30 am on Friday September 8.
Officers say the haul, including jewellery, watches and cash, including American dollars, was stolen between 5 pm on Thursday and when the discovery was made on Friday morning when the householder returned home.
Detective Constable Lee Moscrop, Dumfries CID, said: “The householder is heartbroken at what’s happened. Not only have his life savings been stolen, jewellery which is of tremendous sentimental value to him and his family has also been taken.
“Whether or not the thief or thieves knew what they were looking for or whether this was an opportunist who broke in, has still to be established but I would ask anyone who may have seen someone or a couple of people they didn’t recognise hanging about the street near to or at the house in the past few days to contact police.
“Or maybe they saw, for example, a car in the area that they did not recognise? If they did then we ask they please contact police.
“Officers are checking CCTV and making local enquiries in an effort to trace those responsible.
“Some of the cash taken was in £100 notes. To the everyday person on the street, these are rarely seen, so if they are in a business dealing in currency and someone comes in using notes of that value, and have any suspicions about them, we ask please get in touch.”
Anyone with information can contact police in Dumfries via 101 quoting incident number 2245/09/09/17 when calling.
Alternatively Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111 and details can be given confidentially.
NEWSDESK: 01461-202417
