Thieves strip car abandoned in snow near Sheffield and steal tools from boot

Thieves have been condemned for stripping a car abandoned by a stricken motorist caught up in snowy conditions on the roads near Sheffield yesterday.
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Declan Stones, aged 29, had to abandon his car just off Junction 35 of the M1, near Chapeltown, at around midday yesterday because of treacherous road conditions.

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He left the Volkswagen Golf R32 in a lay-by and was devastated to find out later that night that thieves had broken into and stripped his car, which he paid £11,000 for just one week earlier.

A car abandoned in the snow just off Junction 35 of the M1 , near Chapeltown, was destroyed by thieves yesterdayA car abandoned in the snow just off Junction 35 of the M1 , near Chapeltown, was destroyed by thieves yesterday
A car abandoned in the snow just off Junction 35 of the M1 , near Chapeltown, was destroyed by thieves yesterday
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Among the parts stolen were the wheels, bumper and fuses and the crooks responsible also stole the curtain waller’s tools from the boot.

A Dewalt SDS drill in a box, a Dewalt multi tool, 54v batteries and a Dewalt impact gun, all with Declan’s initials on, were stolen in a Stanley bag also containing hand and glazing tools.

The 29-year-old, who has reported the incident to South Yorkshire Police, said he is devastated.

“There are always cars parked in that lay-by because it is on a busy main road, so I didn’t think about it not being safe. I just did what I had to do because of the road conditions,” he said.

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“Carrying all the tools with me wasn’t an option and again, I didn’t even think about them being at risk. You just wouldn’t expect anyone to do what they did.

“They were obviously opportunists taking advantage of the situations people found themselves in yesterday because of the snow and they need to be caught.”

Declan has contacted his insurance company to make a claim and said the car, which was a collector’s vehicle because of the low number on the roads, has been written off.

A car abandoned in the snow on the Castlebeck estate in Sheffield yesterday was also stripped.

Its wheels were taken but the car was also vandalised.

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It’s windscreen and windows were smashed and it was set on fire.

Anyone with information should call South Yorkshire Police on 101.

Quote incident 14/16070/21 when referring to the Golf.

Crimestoppers can also be contacted, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.