Thief wreaks havoc as he attempts to steal AA van (From Surrey Comet)

Thief wreaks havoc as he attempts to steal AA van

10:31am Friday 24th February 2006

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An opportunist thief caused £3,000 of damage when he jumped into the driver's seat of an AA van and tried to steal it along with a vehicle-in-tow.

People watched in amazement as the van, which had been left with its keys in the ignition, sped away while the car in tow ricocheted from one side of the road to another smashing into parked cars.

Onlooker John Plummer, manager of Old Malden Library in Church Road, Worcester Park, said: "He drove off at enormous speed, with the car swaying from left to right and bouncing up and down on the speed humps.

Several vehicles parked outside the library were damaged and in his haste, the driver also broke a safety railing by the level crossing in Church Road.

"Then he tried to turn left into Avondale Road and hit a bollard, which brought him to a halt and damaged the towed car, before he jumped out and ran off."

The AA man and the driver of the car, a broken down hire car, could only stand and watch as the thief made his getaway at about 1.30pm last Thursday.

Mr Plummer said the damage could have been much worse if the road had been busier. "It was lucky it was not later in the afternoon as there could have been parents' with buggies crossing the road," he said.

"It is pretty unbelievable and quite distressing, because this is usually a quiet area ."

Photographer Ray O'Donoghue, 65, who lives in Church Road, was at home when he heard a couple of loud bangs.

He said: "I looked out my window but only saw the AA van driving by and heard the noise, so I rushed out and took some photos of the damaged cars.

"There is not usually much life in Worcester Park. This is the most exciting thing that has happened in my 18 years of living here!"

A police spokesman said they were still looking for the thief, who made off before police arrived.

He said: "We are currently conducting an investigation into this incident and would welcome any assistance in tracing the thief."

Police are looking for a white man with dark brown hair, aged about 18, wearing a dark blue jacket.

An AA spokesman said: "We were shocked to think someone would try to drive off with a patrol van, especially with a member's vehicle attached.

"Fortunately, neither patrol man nor our member were injured and we are currently helping police with their enquiries."

If you can help police, call PC Mark Bolton at Kingston crime desk on 020 8247 4107.

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