THIS e-fit picture shows one of two burglars who used a stolen car to smash their way past its startled owners.

The image was released by police in a bid to catch the two men wanted for the theft of a couple’s £24,000 rare Alfa Romeo Brera car.

The thieves then used the Alfa Romeo to persistently ram the owners’ car, after they returned home part-way through the burglary at their Wychbold home, near Droitwich, on Thursday, June 18.

“We would like people to look long and hard at the e-fit image to see if they can recognise the offender who may also have been seen in the Wychbold area in the few days leading up to the incident,” said a South Worcestershire Police spokesman.

“Officers believe that the man depicted could well come from the greater West Midlands region and urge members of the public in general - and in the greater Birmingham area in particular - to study the picture.”

The victims, a man and a woman, pulled up to see two men in fluorescent jackets stealing the vehicle and valuables, including an £800 Samsung 42-inch LCD television, from their home in Worcester Road home at about 1.45pm.

Their other car, a black Toyota Rav 4 sustained £200 in damage, as the burglars rammed their way past it. No-one was injured, but the couple were badly shaken.

Also stolen were a £100 maroon Samsung D900 mobile phone and a Canon camera and lenses, valued at £100.

The red Alfa Romeo, one of only 500 produced, was later recovered in a field in nearby Swan Lane, at Upton Warren, with an estimated £3,000 worth of damage having rammed through a farm gate.

People who heard or saw anything suspicious in or around Worcester Road, Wychbold, between noon and 1.45pm, that day are being urged to contact police.

Officers can be called on 0300 333 3000, quoting 380S/180609, or by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.