A WARRINGTON businessman has been left devastated after his family's pet pugs and Mercedes car were stolen last week.

Martin Smith, 42, has called on the public to help trace the stolen property after a gang broke into a home in Rainhill on Thursday evening at around 6.30pm.

A number of men were reported to have arrived outside the property in a black Mercedes CLC 180 car.

The offenders are believed to have forced entry into the back of the house, taken the keys to the victim's white Mercedes CLA 200 AMG car - registration number MM65 AAX, two pug dogs and an XBox.

They are believed to have then left in the two cars.

One of the pugs, Archie has been returned but owner Mark's wife Gaynor Smith, 43, says she is still heartbroken over missing puppy Rocco.

Gaynor had been out at the Theatre Royal with Martin and children Taylor, Elliot and Madison during the break-in.

“My youngest daughter was in Grease at the Theatre Royal and we left the house at 6.10pm and as soon as we got to the theatre we got a phone call off a neighbour saying there’s a gang outside your house, I think they’re trying to break in,” she said.

“By the time he got home they had smashed through the back door and gone for my car and they must have seen my pugs. I’m just devastated, absolutely devastated."

Anyone with information can call St Helens CID on 0151 777 6802, the non-emergency 101 number or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.