A man whose Aberdeen home was broken into is celebrating after the return of a £3,500 watch which was stolen.
Cormac Schroeder was targeted by thieves, along with his housemates, last month.
The 21-year-old bore the brunt of the criminals’ efforts, losing more than £10,000 of items – including several watches, electronics and a rare whisky collection.
His most prized possession that was taken was a ring handed down through his family.
The ring, which was given to Cormac by his father on his 20th birthday, is the last remaining heirloom that shows the family seal.
The retail supervisor was pleased to hear from CID officers investigating his case that they had recovered one of the watches.
One man was arrested but was released without charge.
The police said officers are still investigating, and are following a positive line of inquiry.
Cormac said: “It’s a really good feeling, I’m happy to have it back, but it’s a strange feeling because it’s all dinged up. It looks like someone has taken a file to it – it just shows that they don’t care.”
Now, for Cormac and his family, the focus is on the ring.
He said: “The watch and the ring are all that I care about getting back, not just for me, but for my family as well.”
The break-in took place on July 19, when a suspected “look out” distracted one of Cormac’s neighbours, while a male broke into a top-floor window of his Ferryhill home.
The thieves made off with five or six duffle bags full of their belongings.
Detective Constable Mike Christiansen said: “Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 1079 of July 19.
“Crime in this particular area of Aberdeen is extremely rare. It won’t be tolerated and inquiries are ongoing.
“We are currently following a positive line of inquiry.”
No other property taken from the flat has been recovered.