Sav-vy sleuth helps track down thieves
ATEENAGE hairdresser uncovered vital footage of crooks ransacking a van in broad daylight.
Savannah Whittaker claims that she even received an apology from the mum of one of the pair caught on camera stealing more than £500 of equipment from a vehicle parked outside her family store in Royton.
After the trainee hairdresser shared CCTV footage of the shameless pair with more than 85,000 viewers, she was bombarded with messages naming them and posted their names online.
Pensioner Peter Holt, who owned the tools, had popped into the shop when the thieves struck.
Savannah, who works in MJ’s Premier Store, owned by dad Justin Whittaker, said: “We think he must have been followed – the thieves seemed to know exactly what they were doing.
“It gives new meaning to the phrase ‘daylight robbery’.
“I can’t believe they did it in the middle of the day with cars driving past them and houses just across the road.
“I just thought it was so horrible, how could you do that to someone?
“Peter was really upset so he was grateful when I put it on Facebook to try and help out. I wanted to share it to see if anyone knew these people, because on the CCTV you can see their faces clearly.
“But I didn’t think I would get such a huge response.
“We know exactly who the thieves are now.
“One of their mums even got in touch and said he had not been brought up like this and all she could do was apologise.”
In the video, three cars can be seen driving past the blue Volvo 4x4 while it stops in the middle of the road for the two teenagers to try the unlocked back door of the van.
They can then be seen loading two heavy toolboxes containing equipment including a planer, jigsaw and cordless drill into the vehicle.
The day after posting the footage on Facebook Savanna received messages from three people naming one of the teenagers caught on camera.
Dad-of-two Justin, 46, said: “The thieves just didn’t care – there were houses overlooking and everything. It is really outrageous.”
Retired joiner Peter said: “Savannah did all the groundwork – she was a bit of a vigilante.”
A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: “An investigation is underway and enquiries are ongoing. Anyone with information should contact police.”