Detectives have released CCTV footage of a ram raid at a UK garage in which a heavily modified Ford Escort Mexico race car was stolen.
The images show how the rare V8-engined classic racing car, which is valued at £120,000, was dragged past a Porsche from the showroom floor at Ripley, north of Guildford in Surrey, after being attached by chains to a Land Rover Defender which had smashed through the glass frontage.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5s_wiJLD9c[/youtube]
The blue MK1 vehicle from 1972 was targeted on Tuesday this week, March 3, when offenders broke into the Trackspeed Classic car showroom in Portsmouth Road, north of Guildford, at 9.19pm. They made off with the classic car, which has the number 27 on its side and registration plate of DAD 422K, in the direction of Ripley.
Detective Sergeant Adam Tatton said: “The footage released demonstrates the audacity of this crime and how it was clearly meticulously planned. I am hoping anyone who has any information which could help with the investigation will be mindful to contact officers as soon as possible and help us piece together exactly what has happened to this distinctive vehicle.”
A Land Rover Defender was later discovered burnt out a few miles away. Police are making enquiries to confirm whether it links to the offence. Anyone with information is asked to call Surrey Police on 101 quoting reference 45150017925 or by using the online reporting system. Alternatively the independent UK charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.
