THIEVES stole more than $70,000 in gold bullion after breaking into a house in Ballarat, Victoria, famous for its gold rush history, last Wednesday.

Police said the offenders gained access to the Webster St house by forcing open a window between 8am and midday.

A 1kg gold bar and around 15 smaller pieces of gold were stolen along with an iPad, a laptop and cash.

Police want to speak to the owners of a gold four-wheel drive seen in the area around the same time.

Dr Rosemary Draper, the owner of the burgled home, believes she saw one of the thieves in her street as she left her house for a medical appointment.

She has handed a sketch of a man she saw to police.

Dr Draper bought the gold in the 1980s as an investment for around $20,000.

It has since gone up in value to around $70,000.

“I don’t think they knew the gold was there, it was just a coincidence,” she said.

“My window hatch had been bent two weeks previously so the thought they may have been in my house before is the worst part.”

Leading Senior Constable Nathan Vercoe, based at Ballarat police station, said the thieves will struggle to offload the gold.

“I believe it was random,” he said.

“They will possibly try and sell it through gold dealers. We have been in contact with a number of gold dealers about this.

“It will be fairly identifiable. It will be difficult to offload without suspicion.”

Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a report at crimestoppersvic.com.au.

david.hurley@news.com.au