CALLOUS thieves have repeatedly broken into a Teignmouth home after the owner was found dead at the weekend. Jack Riches, 89, was discovered at his home in Cartwright Close on Saturday morning, while his wife Ivy, 89, remains ill in hospital. Just hours later, thieves used a pick-axe to break through a glass panelled door. They stole two tortoises that were family pets for more than 36 years. Daughter Vanessa Stocker, 41, from Newton Abbot, said she is 'absolutely devastated'. 'It has been terrible having to come to terms with the death of my dad and my mum being so ill. 'Now someone has broken in and stolen our family pets. They are not worth much but they have great sentimental value to us,' she said. It is believed that the thieves have returned on a number of occasions. The tortoises, named Humphrey and Speedy, were in hibernation in the garden shed. An alarm is being fitted to the property to stop further attempts. Mrs Stocker said: 'There is nothing of value there, just things that are sentimental and very precious to us. 'My parents worked hard all their lives and always did the very best for their family and friends,' she said. A woman with a foreign accent telephoned The Triangle Pet Shop in Teignmouth on Monday about selling the tortoises. Owner Paul Barczok said that a licence is needed to keep, buy and sell the pets.
