Thief steals car from driveway as disabled owner wiped window

A disabled man had his Motability car stolen from his driveway in Chelmsley Wood, within a few seconds, after a thief struck as he cleaned its steamed-up windows.

Mark Cordiner, had put the keys in the ignition and got out to wipe the windows on his drive when the passing crook jumped in – and sped off.

The 57-year-old grandad has now been left without his lifeline, provided through the Motability scheme.

He had been about to give his wife a lift to work at 5.15am last Friday (03/03) when the thief struck.

The Vauxhall Mokka was on the drive facing the front door.

Mr Cordiner said: “The car was parked on the drive 2ft from the front door. I got out to wipe the window because it was steamed up and I called to my wife to bring a cloth, the front door was still open.”

He added: “I was leaning on the front of the car and I heard the driver’s door shut. At first I wondered what it was and when I turned around I saw the man in the car.

“I didn’t even hear him come up the path. I grabbed the door handle but he knew exactly where they buttons were because he had locked himself in.

“He put the car into reverse and nearly hit the neighbour’s car and missed a wall by inches.

“It all happened in a matter of seconds.”

The father-of-three, who nearly died from an aneurysm, now faces a struggle to get to hospital appointments.

He said: “I rarely leave the house as it is apart from to go to the shops.

“My wife works from five in the morning to five in the afternoon and I need transport to get to hospital appointments.

“It’s left us in a terrible situation.”

A spokeswoman for West Midlands Police said: “We have launched an investigation after a black Vauxhall Mokka was stolen from a driveway on Circus Avenue, Chelmsley Wood, last week.

“The owner was clearing the windows of the car when thieves jumped into the vehicle and drove away.”

No arrests have been made and officers continue to appeal for information.

* Anyone with information is urged to call Solihull Investigation Team on 101 quoting 20SH/44613N/17.

Read more: http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/crook-steals-car-chelmsley-wood-12711680