Were murdered OAPs marked out by secret code of burglary gang? 

Were murdered OAPs marked out by secret code of burglary gang?

By Izzy Ferris and Jim Norton and Inderdeep Bains for the Daily Mail

Published: 22:08 GMT, 14 February 2019 | Updated: 23:39 GMT, 14 February 2019

Clue? Chalk mark next to Mr Payne’s door

Clue? Chalk mark next to Mr Payne’s door

Chalk markings found outside the homes of three elderly men murdered by a suspected mass killer have raised fears they were the targeted victims of burglars or drugs gangs. 

Anthony Payne, 80, was discovered dead at his house on Monday afternoon before the bodies of identical twins Dick and Roger Carter, 84, were found at their property a mile away less than 24 hours later.

Police believe the killings in Exeter are linked. They have arrested a 27-year-old man on suspicion of murder. Officers say there are no known associations between the victims and the suspect.

However, pictures show similar chalk markings were left near the entrances to both houses.

Police have previously warned that chalk symbols – dubbed the ‘Da Pinchi Code’ – are used by burglars or gangs running ‘county lines’ drug dealing operations to communicate with each other and let each other know which properties are easiest to target.

Outside Mr Payne’s property the number ‘65’ was seen scrawled on the wall next to the front door. At the Carters’ home ‘5C’ has been written in chalk next to the gate.

Detectives said the type of injuries sustained, the age of the victims, and the ‘presentation of the properties’ had led them to believe it was a ‘single multiple murder investigation’.

Yesterday locals said they were

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