Front of car stolen outside owner’s flat
SHOCKED car owner Kevin Bower woke to find the front of his car had been stolen from outside his home in Cardiff – including the bumper, grill, and lights.
Thieves struck in the early hours of Saturday.
Kevin is gutted as he has only just got back behind the wheel of his £11,000 ST sports model Ford Fiesta after two months of recovery from surgery.
It was parked in residents’ bays outside the block of flats in Station Road, Llandaff North, where Kevin lives with partner Stephanie Jones, when the front was removed between 12.30am and 5am.
“We couldn’t quite believe our eyes,” said Stephanie.
“They have taken all the front, the bumper, the grill, the number plate, lights and fog lights.”
Forklift driver Kevin, 38, suspects the car was deliberately targeted.
“It’s a sports model, had a 2017 number plate and the front of it is a bit flashy so I reckon it was stolen to order,” he added.
“It will be on someone else’s car and may be up country by now. It may be someone damaged their own car or it was stolen for a garage.
“It’s been parked up for two months and not used while I recovered from surgery to my leg, so I reckon someone saw it.”
In June, we reported how staff at four Welsh hospitals had fallen victim to the crime while working. And last year, two Ford Focus cars in Cardiff had their bumpers, bonnets and headlights stripped.
Insurers have warned that as cars are made from increasingly expensive materials, more parts and even entire sections of cars are being stolen because thieves stand a chance of making a profit.
Kevin, who plays football for local team Cardiff Villa FC, had only started driving the car again two weeks ago after having cruciate ligament surgery in June.
The damage was noticed by a neighbour who alerted the couple.
“They’ve used metal snips, they wouldn’t have been able to use a grinder because it would have made too much noise,” added Kevin, who works at Euroclad in Wentloog.
“They knew what they were doing. It wouldn’t have taken them long, someone I know who works in a garage reckons it would take about 10 minutes doing.”
Although the vehicle was insured, Kevin is annoyed he’ll have to pay £250 excess and lose his no claims bonus, through no fault of his own.
“It couldn’t come at a worse time. Kevin has been on sick pay for two months so funds are running low,” said Stephanie, a nanny.
The couple have reported the theft to South Wales Police. The force has been approached for comment. if you know what you’re