Police save Gringley couple's retirement dreams after stolen motorhome found, thieves still on the loose

A motorhome stolen from Gringley on the Hill in a brazen midnight heist has been recovered by police, saving the adventure-filled retirement dreams of the couple who own it.
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The distinctive Pilote 696D model, one of only around ten such vehicles in the whole of the UK, was stolen from the driveway of a High Street home on the night of Friday, November 13.

On Tuesday, November 17, it was found in Humberside along with another suspected stolen vehicle. Once forensic examinations have been completed, it will be returned to its owners.

PC Scott Chambers, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This was a brazen theft carried out by thieves who were clearly very proficient at stealing vehicles.

The distinctive Pilote model, one of only around ten such vehicles in the whole of the UK.The distinctive Pilote model, one of only around ten such vehicles in the whole of the UK.
The distinctive Pilote model, one of only around ten such vehicles in the whole of the UK.

“While I am delighted that this vehicle will now be returned to its rightful owner, I am determined that we track down and punish the people responsible.

Two thieves were captured on CCTV as they broke into the vehicle and drove it away shortly after midnight.

In the aftermath, one of the owners, asking not to be named, said: “We are devastated that all our hard work, our plans and our dreams have been taken away so easily. We appreciate any help or information that would lead to us getting our motorhome back.

“We have been planning our retirement dream to buy a motorhome and to travel the UK and further afield for more than a year. After much research we found our perfect motorhome in February.”

Police are appealing for help to identify the thieves.Police are appealing for help to identify the thieves.
Police are appealing for help to identify the thieves.

They added: “It was made to our specifications and would take four months, but we were happy to wait to get exactly what we wanted.”

CCTV footage from the night in question shows two men arrive at the scene then try and fail to disable the camera. After breaking into the vehicle they spend several minutes interfering with the ignition before getting it started and driving it away.

PC Scott Chambers, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This has been a really distressing experience for the owners.

"So if you recognise the men in these CCTV images or have any other information that may help our investigation please contact us on 101 quoting incident 158 of 14 November. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Police are appealing for help to identify the thieves.Police are appealing for help to identify the thieves.
Police are appealing for help to identify the thieves.

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