Pensioner dragged 30ft by car while tackling model locomotive thieves
POLICE have appealed for information leading to the recovery of a Maxitrak 5in gauge SECR R1 class 0-6-0T No. 335 after it was stolen from its 75-year-old owner.
Retired civil servant Paul Kenny, a former head of safety and monitoring for defence and ammunitions at the Royal Navy, was alerted to the raid by his dog Poppy.
He chased the three thieves and tried to grab the 3ft long £6000 model back – but ended up being dragged 30ft by their getaway car outside his home in Chilworth, near Southampton, at about noon on June 7. He was left lying on the ground with cuts and bruises to his hands and knees, and there were bloodstains on the road.
Two members of staff from a nearby care home came to his aid.
The car was described as a dark blue VW Golf, having a partial index of YH04 and a smashed rear windscreen covered with brown parcel tape.
PC Mike Elwood, of Hampshire Police, said: “If you have seen a model train like this recently or been offered to buy one, we want to hear from you.”
Anyone with information is urged to telephone 101, quoting reference number 44210221809.