Car stolen in robbery then taken again two days later by hammer-wielding men
A car stolen in a robbery in Staffordshire was targeted for a second time by hammer-wielding thieves as it was being recovered.
The VW Golf was originally stolen from a woman at Ventura Retail Park, Tamworth, on Sunday, and was later found in the West Midlands area on Monday.
A recovery firm picked it up yesterday to take it to be examined and the driver was approached by three men with hammers as he stopped on London Road, Bassetts Pole about 12.30pm.
The suspects told the driver to take the vehicle to Coppice Lane where it was stolen for a second time.
The three men had arrived in a grey Toyota Avensis Estate and detectives are investigating whether the men are the same offenders involved in the first incident at Ventura Retail Park.
The men left the scene in the VW Golf and the Toyota Avensis Estate.
Detective Inspector Giles Parsons said: "This is a very serious offence that left the recovery vehicle driver extremely shaken up.
"We have a dedicated team who are investigating these incidents and they are working around the clock to ensure that the men involved are brought to justice.
"Vehicle owners are asked to remain vigilant and anyone that sees anything suspicious should report it to us.
"Officers from the Tamworth local policing team and colleagues from West Midlands Police are running an operation across the region using intelligence-led tactics to prevent and detect these types of offences at all times.
"Anyone who may have witnessed this incident or may have seen a suspicious Toyota Avensis Estate nearby is asked to call 101 quoting incident number 264 of 27 November."
