Garage rocked by £10,000 tools theft

A GARAGE is counting the cost of a devastating break-in which has seen a customer’s van and more than £10,000 of high-end tools stolen.

Thieves raided A.N.A. Garage in Rochdale in the early hours of Wednesday (February 22).

After smashing their way in through a skylight they stole dozens of top-end Snap-on tools, ratchets, socket sets and an engine diagnostics kit worth £6,500 alone.

They then loaded the tools into a customer’s Volkswagen Caddy van and crashed into a Ford Focus, which was also parked in the garage, as they fled.

Director Nasir Khan, 45, who has run the Fletcher Street mechanics for 24 years, said: “They obviously knew what they were doing and knew what they were coming for. First they’ve climbed up onto the roof, which must be 8m high, in the pitch black and disconnected the alarm.

“They have only gone for the expensive stuff, or stuff like the ratchets which they can sell on easily, and then they have used a ratchet to unscrew the lock from the main door and once they’ve got out they’ve returned and closed the door, so it looks like nothing has happened. They’ve done a really thorough job.”

Mr Khan says the break-in has been a massive blow. He added: “It’s really set us back. We feel really sorry for the customers affected. We’ve already had to delay one or two jobs, but there’s also the stress of the whole thing on top. We’re having to deal with the police and insurance companies while also trying clean up, find out exactly what’s been stolen and continue running the business.

“But the main thing is nobody got hurt.”

The break-in took place at about 1.30am on Wednesday.

The Volkswagen van has the personalised number plate DOG 39V. Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.