TWO vehicles were stolen in the early hours of Saturday morning from a garage in the Holsworthy area, which were then used in a separate incident in Kilkhampton.

According to police, between the hours of 2.50am and 3.20am on Saturday, the H J Wicketts Co car dealership, just outside of Holsworthy was broken into and keys were stolen for two of their vehicles. — a Volkswagen Golf R Estate valued at £20,500 and a Ford Ranger Pick up, which was priced at £15,500 + VAT.

The business has been operating since 1923 and has been passed down through the family, with husband and wife, Jon and Vicki Prance running it with Jon’s sister, Nicola Prance. They also run a vehicle repair shop in Bradworthy.

According to Jon, the suspects visited the garage twice during the morning.

The vehicles were stolen on the first visit. It is then believed they returned to the scene, but Jon was alerted this time, by a tenant of his, who rents a bungalow near to where the incident occurred.

Jon said: “On arrival the robbers were still there and once the police turned up, we could all hear them shout, ‘it’s the police’ and they vanished into the night.”

Later that morning, at around 4.25am there was a burglary at the Co-op store in Kilkhampton. Police said it is believed the suspects used one of the cars to ram the front of the store; alcohol and other items were stolen from the store before they fled the area in a second vehicle.

Jon was left disappointed after the incident, and added: “Lots of damage has been done, doors, broken windows and displays. Even having nine different CCTV cameras didn’t seem to put them off. I really don’t know what to say to be honest. They clearly had no regard for all the hard work we put in day to day.”

Despite being insured for the thefts and the damage carried out to the property, Jon said it doesn’t take into account the two days they spent closed, the clean up operation and the minor scratches sustained to the sides of other vehicles in the lot.

However, Jon has been overwhelmed by the resounding support from the local community and their pledges of support.

He said: “We have had fantastic help, we really have, from cleaning up, people offering their time and even other garages offering spare equipment. It makes you feel a bit better about the whole situation.”

Police are appealing for witnesses and would like to hear from anyone who may have any information in relation to either incident, or from anyone who may have CCTV footage from around the time.

Please contact [email protected] quoting CR/057432/19. You can also give information anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.