‘Mindless’ thieves blasted for dumping car in lake

A man has hit out at mindless criminals who stole his family’s car and dumped it in a lake over the weekend – resulting in him missing a family holiday.

Mark Beech was asleep with his wife at their home in Groombridge Square, Maidstone, when the front door was forced on Thursday night or early the following morning.

As well as car keys, a Nintendo Wii and digital camera were also taken.

The black Renault Megane was discovered in Mote Park’s lake near Audley Mote House on Saturday.

Mr Beech, 32, said he did not know what happened to the £6,000 car until he saw an article on Kent Online.

Mr Beech said “I have a fear of flying. I should now be in California for my brother-in-law’s wedding.

“I have been on a run of hypnosis to get me on a flight and the break-in has been completely unsettled that, put my stress levels up and as a result I have missed out on a family holiday.

“I am still coming to terms with it a few days on.

“What is hardest is to see it in a lake.

“If the car had ended up somewhere with the plates changed

Anybody who has information is asked to contact police on 01622 604100 quoting reference 06-0570 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111. or used in a robbery I could see why they would do that.

“To just dump it in a lake is just mindless.”

A spokesman for Kent Police, said: “The car has now been recovered and inquiries are ongoing.”