Van tool robbers try to run down victim

Craig Fox had Tools Stolen

THIEVES stoles £1,000 worth of tools from an electrician’s van — then drove a van at him when he tried to stop them.

The two robbers — one male and one female — parked up at the side of Craig Fox’s van in Gladstone Terrace Road in Greenfield, and started helping themselves to the tools.

Craig, who was working in the property, looked out the window and saw what was happening.

The dad-of-one, from Diggle, said: “I saw my van door open and a van parked up right at the side of it. I knew the door was locked so I immediately knew what they were doing.

“I ran outside and saw the man jump into their van. I stood in front of the vehicle and put my hands on the bonnet to stop them getting away.

Revving

“The woman driver then starting revving the engine really loudly and just put her foot down. I dived out of the way but the van clipped my knee.

“If I hadn’t have moved out of the way she would have gone straight over me.

“It all happened so fast, I still can’t really believe it.”

Craig set up his business, Fox Mico, in January and bought new tools for the start of the venture.

Two drills and a multi-tool were taken in the theft.

Craig added: “They must have only been there for 30 seconds judging by what they had taken — but they could have taken a lot more and left me much worse off.

“I am just glad I saw them when I did.

“Luckily I am still able to work as I have older sets of tools but that’s not the point.

“They didn’t know that, they aren’t just taking tools they are taking people’s ability to work.”

A GMP spokesman said that the vehicle used in the robbery is believed to have stolen number plates.

One offender was described as a white female, around 23-years-old, with blonde, shoulder length hair and of medium build.

The other was a white male, in his early 20s of slim build. He was between 5ft 8in and 5ft 10in tall, with short black hair.

Anyone with information about the incident which took place on Thursday, November 5, at around 1.30pm, is asked to contact police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.