Kentish Express Ashford & District
Owner devastated by theft of beloved classic Mini
A social worker has spoken of his devastation after his prized car was stolen from a car park.
Pej Alizadeh, 32, from Chilham, reported his classic Mini had been taken from the village hall car park sometime between 6pm on Tuesday February 2 and 8.30am the next day.
The married dad-to-be is now hoping someone with information will come forward so he can be reunited with his beloved car.
He said: “I am absolutely devastated. It was my pride and joy.
“I spent three years restoring it to a high standard through specialist Mini mechanics.
“I am a social worker and in a very stressful profession. I used to use my Mini as a way to relax and de-pressurise from my job with Kent County Council.
“I know it sounds stupid but my life has just become a whole lot harder.
“I know it is ‘just a car’ but to me much more. I went on London to Brighton runs with the car and attended many shows. I’m totally devastated.”
He said the car had been temporarily parked at the village hall while hedgecutters worked at the spot he usually parked it in.
Mr Alizadeh, who is origi- nally from Iran and married to an American, said he was hoping to pass down the Mini to his daughter.
He added: “There’s nothing else of value in this world I own. My wife and I wanted to pass it down to our daughter because it is a classic British icon, which is very important to us.”
Recent figures from the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators have revealed a hike in modern classic cars being targeted by thieves.
The figures also show that Kent is a hot spot for nationwide vehicle crime, with criminal gangs targeting 1980s classic cars, motorbikes, vans and campervans.
Police have asked anyone with information about the vehicle’s disappearance to contact them on 101, quoting reference number ZY/003695/16.
‘My wife and I wanted to pass it down to our daughter because it is a classic British icon’