Disabled pensioner left stranded after thieves cause £5,000 damage to car

A disabled pensioner has been left stranded after ‘organised’ thieves caused around £5,000 worth of damage to his car.

Eric Walton, of West Furlong, Retford, is now unable to get around after the two offenders stole his catalytic converter from his Hyundai Tucson.

The theft, which was captured on CCTV, was carried out at around 8.40pm on Friday 6th March and just took just six minutes.

“I am more angry than anything,” Eric said.

“I went in the car on Friday morning to go shopping and it did not sound right.”

“When I got to Morrisons car park, I got down on my hands and knees and I could not believe it.”

“They had caused damage three-and-a-half feet long.”

The 74-year-old told the Guardian that he uses his car to go shopping and to see friends and family.

“I have had two quotes from insurance companies,” he said.

“Luckily my daughter comes round three or four times a week to help me.”

“Another person is thought to have been targeted before Christmas but that was only suspected.”

No arrests have currently been made and inquiries are on-going.

Eric’s son, who is also called Eric, said he believes the theft was carried out using a pump hydraulic pipe cutter and large bolt cutters to get through the exhaust and pipework.

“My dad was targeted by organised thieves,” he said.

“We have video of the two men carrying out the crime.”

“Sadly they cannot be identified from the video as it was too dark and they were dressed to hide their appearance.”

Call police on the 101 non-emergency number with any information.

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