Grieving family hopeful as cops close in on photo thieves

Relatives of a teenage student who died in his sleep at boarding school are still hoping thieves will return precious childhood photos stolen last week.

The family home of King's College boy William Richard Thode, 15, was burgled last Wednesday - the day after he was buried.

Thousands of dollars worth of items were taken from the Remuera house, including an Apple Mac laptop which had photos of William and his brothers Oliver, 11, and Sam, 13, stored on it.

Neighbours spotted teenagers in hoodies loading a television into a white Subaru station wagon about 3pm.

But despite a plea for the photos' safe return - to any police station or the Herald - they have failed to show up.

William's aunt Anne Motion said the family would love the pictures back but would now have to "lift up above it".

"It is now taking the focus off what the focus should be," she said.

But Sergeant Greg Rawbone of Mt Wellington said police were following strong lines of inquiry.

He would not elaborate, for fear of jeopardising the investigation, but said he was hopeful of progress this week.

Mr Rawbone urged people who had lost loved ones to be particularly vigilant with security at home.

"In the moments of grief, people tend to be a bit preoccupied, and any time when people are away, just talk to your neighbours and make sure to tell them where you are."

* Anyone with information about the burglary should phone 0800 NABBED, Mt Wellington station on (09) 526-7300 or Crime Stoppers on 0800-555-111.