BURGLARS heaped misery on a family by raiding their home, stealing their cars and then crashing them.

But police hope that distinctive property they took from the house on Reinwood Road in Oakes are the vital clues that may lead to the thieves.

The intruders raided the house on the night of August 22 and found keys to two cars – a Vauxhall Corsa and a Citroen Picasso – parked outside.

They crashed the Corsa on nearby Quarmby Road and police called to deal with that incident traced the car back to the home and discovered the burglary.

The other car, a grey Citroen Picasso, was found crashed on Macham Street off Lockwood Road in Lockwood on August 29.

The thieves’ haul included a blue Fender guitar in a hard black case, a Marshall amplifier and a boy’s black mountain bike with distinctive green pedals.

The burglars also took a man’s storm-proof jacket in a blue mosaic pattern and a couple of mobile phones.

Det Con Russ Conlon, of Kirklees CID intelligence unit, said: “These burglars have heaped misery on their victims, but now several days have passed since the crime it may be they have tried to sell on the stolen items.

“Also where had the Picasso been between August 22 and August 29 when it was found damaged?

“Do you know anyone who was driving the car for that short period of time?

“We would urge anyone who can suggest names for the offenders to come forward.’’

Phone PC Sharon Choudry at Kirklees CID on 01924 431038 or Crimstoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.