Thugs driving around Doncaster ‘stealing tools from vans and threatening victims with screwdriver’

Victims have spoken of a black Ford Mondeo containing a group of men driving round different parts of the town and the surrounding area, breaking into vans and stealing tools.

And police have confirmed that one car has been involved in a number of reports of robberies of tools from work vans.

When confronted, the thieves are alleged to have threatened victims with screwdrivers and crowbars. In one case confirmed by police a shopping trolley was thrown at a car when the driver intervened, smashing the windscreen.

One resident posted on Facebook: “WARNING! Black Ford Mondeo driving round and stealing tools! Our kitchen fitter has just been robbed and a neighbour had something thrown at her windscreen while she had kids in the car!”

Mark Rosco Ross also wrote: “Watch out people somebody just broke into my van and when I confronted them they went for me with a screwdriver. They are in a dark Mondeo.”

A number of other posts on Facebook, the earliest being yesterday evening (December 18), have spoken about an ‘old, dark Mondeo’ driving around in Dunscroft, Stainforth, Armthorpe and Skellow, stealing from vans.

And one poster claimed that when their mother confronted the men who were stealing from a van the men ‘held a crowbar up to her.’

South Yorkshire Police have confirmed that they have received reports of men stealing tools from vans, with the same car being involved in different cases in different parts of Doncaster. There is an ongoing investigation into the incidents.

A statement from the police about the investigation so far said: “Police were called at around 11.30am today (December 19) following reports of an incident on Howden Avenue, Skellow.

“It is reported that a motorist driving along the road came across some suspicious activity as tools were being removed from a parked van.

“The motorist is reported to have sounded her horn, which led to the suspected thieves throwing a metal trolley at her vehicle, causing her windscreen to smash.

“There were no reports of injuries. Enquiries are ongoing.”

South Yorkshire Police also confirmed to the Doncaster Free Press that the same car that was allegedly involved in the Howden Avenue incident has also been linked to another van burglary on Elm Road, also in Skellow, around the same time.

A spokesperson said: “Police were called to Elm Road, Skellow, just before 11.30am today (19 December) following reports a van had been broken into.

“It is reported a large bag of tools was stolen by three men who were travelling in a black Ford Mondeo.

“Investigations are ongoing into these incidents and anyone with information is asked to contact 101 quoting incident number 309 of 19 December.”