Express & Star

Devastated businessman says van thieves broke his daughter’s heart

A man who runs a small transport firm has been left ‘heartbroken’ after his van was stolen – and found with more than £2,000 worth of damage.

Published
The damage to the van, and right, Mark Evans with daughter Isabella

Mark Evans, aged 41, from Willenhall, who runs M Evans and Daughter Transport Services, had to cancel bookings because of the theft.

The van, a 2006 model, has a wolf on the side in tribute to Wolves, Mark’s football team.

He said: “It’s a small transport and haulage firm. It’s me and my daughter. I’ve had it for three months, doing pallet work.

“My daughter sometimes comes with me. My little driver and navigator, Isabelle who is five.

“I woke up, wanted to go to my van and it was gone. I went over the road to a neighbour who had some CCTV and a car pulled up and drove off and then my van followed in a few minutes.

“It was found in Tipton – one of the Wolves fans spotted it.”

The damage to the engine.

Mark found the van, which has since been taken away by police for forensic testing, with the engine ‘blown’ – which will cost him £2,000 to fix. A client’s bike and tools in the vehicle, worth a total of £7,000, were missing.

Mark added: “They’ve got to take the van away for forensic investigation. The engine from the van is blown out and it’s in quite a state.

“They’ve searched the van and there’s things all over the place.

“I will be getting it back after they’re done, but it’s going to need some repairs.”

The van is recovered.

Mark, a member of the Wolves fan Parliament, said he wanted to secure a future for his daughter with the business.

He added: “If it was my car, I wouldn’t have been so bothered but I’ve always worked and I saved up some money to buy it. I was absolutely heartbroken and she was very sad when I told her.

“It’s just heartbreaking to think someone has took this away from us. I’ve had to let down clients and I’m not sure how long I’m going to be out of work.”