Thieves steal bumper from car parked outside city dealership

AUDACIOUS thieves have made off with the bumper of a car parked right at the front of a Cardiff dealership.

The hoody-wearing duo carried out the theft despite being in full view of CCTV at James & Jenkins as another kept a lookout.

Mark James, managing director of James & Jenkins, said he had to look twice when he saw his showpiece bright yellow Citroen DX3 had its front missing.

He revealed the car had only been moved to the spot on the forecourt of the Station Road firm in Llandaff North earlier that day.

Mr James said: “It’s unbelievable, it was almost a double take.

“I thought ‘where’s the front of the car gone?.’

“They had taken the wrap-around bumper which, with the damage, is worth between £750 to £1,000.

“It’s right on the front of the showroom of Station Road.

“They had been into the petrol station and they had seen the car.

“They took all the profits overnight – it all happened in the early hours of October 5.”

He added: “The people knew there was CCTV there but they always have their hoodies on.

“They are just one step ahead again.

“There were three people involved in this, two will take the parts and the other one will keep a look out.”

Mr James, whose family dealership has struck a link-up with the former Welsh rugby international turned extreme endurance athlete Richard Parks, said the car had been on sale for £6,995.

“Thefts go in cycles if there is someone in the locality who is troublesome,” he said.

“I want to get the car back on the front of the site straight away to make a statement.

“I’m looking to do that by the early part of next week as it affects the profits we are making.”

A South Wales Police spokeswoman confirmed they are investigating the theft of a bumper and number plate from a yellow Citroen in Station Road, Llandaff North.

Anyone with information is asked to contact 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting occurrence number 1700386972.