HOPEWELL, Hanover — A returning resident from the United States of America is offering $250,000 exclusively to the housebreakers who made off with $3-million worth of his belongings last month.

“Ok guys, so you entered my home near Hopewell just over two weeks ago and stole a lot of my things while I was away during an emergency. So here’s the deal: I will pay you $250,000 in cash if you return all the things that you took from my house,” said the returning resident — who for security reasons did not want to be named.

According to the returning resident, the items which included three refrigerators, washing machines, flat-screen TV sets, DVD players, jewellery, microwaves, air-conditioning units and power tools were stolen on the weekend of January 8 – 10.

He said the goods were reportedly loaded into a truck in his garage by the thieves and taken away.

His said the robbery, which was discovered by the caretaker for the upscale community near Hopewell, was immediately reported to the Sandy Bay police.

At that time the resident was willing to pay a reward of J$150,000 for information leading to the recovery of the items.

But now he is appealing directly to the thieves.

“This is no joke. I am dead serious. There are no police involved. You won’t get this much selling the items and there is a good chance that you will be caught selling them — so sell them to the owner,” he argued.

“Just get a truck, pack them in and bring them back. If you are afraid, just send them with someone and I will go with them to the bank and get your money,” he said, emphasising that he won’t press charges.

Yesterday, the returning resident whose house is still under construction told the Observer West that the robbery has not ” dampened his spirits.”

Meanwhile, Errol McIntosh, the contractor for the fairly large building, has labelled the theft as “a wicked act”.

“He (returning resident) didn’t deserve this; he is a very honest, kind and hardworking man,” said McIntosh who has been working at the property for more than three years.

He is hoping that the robbers will return the items that they stole and collect the reward.

Legal experts informed the Observer West that had it not been for the illegal element, the resident would be obliged to pay over the reward if the thieves come forward with the goods.

“This is a classic case of a unilateral offer, the acceptance of which lies in the performance by the parties to whom it is being addressed. However, such a contract would not be enforceable in a court of law, under the grounds that it is illegal,” the expert said.

However, another expert said that the issue raised some very interesting legal questions. “I can’t quite put my finger on it but something is wrong with all of this. Having reported the matter to the police, the returning resident would seem to be interfering with a potential prosecution. If push comes to shove and the police holds the culprit(s), what will he do?

Will he breach the contract with the housebreakers and cooperate with the State or not?”