A FAMILY has been left "completely heartbroken" after jewellery belonging to their late son was stolen in a cash-in-transit robbery.
Gold and priceless mementos that belonged to Amirthaluxmy Arunthavalingam's 11-year-old son, Nivakar, had been stored in a safety deposit box which was being delivered to a bank in East Avenue, Hayes, on November 8 when a robber snatched it.
Nivakar died in March 2008 after being hit by car as he and his older brother walked to school.
Following a burglary at the family's home in Hillingdon, they decided to put a sovereign gold necklace of Nivatar's in a bank container, along with a treasured sympathy card from a relative, and other Asian jewellery from a wedding dowry.
The family arranged for the container to be released and delivered to a prearranged location on the morning it was stolen.
The security guard transporting it was not injured, and no weapon was used.
Making a public appeal for information, Detective Sergeant Hywel Davies from the Flying Squad said: "The Arunthavalingam family are very upset over the loss of the items which have a significant sentimental value to them.
"We believe that the suspect targeted the custodian unaware that there was jewellery and written mementos rather money in the box.
"This robbery has left the family completely devastated and I would urge the person who stole the items to hand themselves in now before we find them."
He also appealed to any pawnbrokers who may have been offered the haul to contact the police, adding that any information would be treated in the strictest confidence.
The robbery suspect is a black man, approximately 5'8" tall, in his mid 20s, and he was wearing a black woollen hat.
He fled the scene in a silver Alfa Romeo hatchback, which has since been recovered.
If you have any information, call the Barnes Flying Squad on 0207 230 8666, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
