Detective Constable Rhett Collier is appealing for the public’s help to trace a group of four men who tried to steal a specially adapted disability vehicle from the mum of a cerebral palsy sufferer.
The men threatened the woman, aged 45, just before 11PM on Wednesday 24th August, with what’s believed to be a taser-type weapon on Oxford Grove in Chelmsley Wood.
She fled to a nearby flat but when the attackers failed to start the VW Caddy − which still had its tailgate and wheelchair ramp down − they hammered on the door and demanded the woman returned to help.
It’s understood the men − described as white and in their late teens or early 20s − left in a dark coloured car that had been parked at the end of Oxford Grove cul-de-sac.
DC Collier said the incident had left both mother and her daughter, aged 25, who needs around the clock care, severely distressed.
He said: “It’s hard to imagine a more callous act…trying to steal a specially adapted car that the family of a disabled lady rely on for her transport.
“The woman had just dropped her daughter back off at home, and helped her to bed, when she returned to the VW Caddy. One man pointed some kind of stun gun at her and made threats, while another banged on the flat door.
“The victim tells me that her daughter, who heard the banging and commotion, has been left very scared by the incident and now needs additional night-time care as a result. She has struggled to sleep since.
“I need to know who was responsible for this. If anyone suspects who may be involved − or has heard about the incident − I’d urge them to contact me as soon as possible.
“People who are prepared to stoop to such levels do not deserve protection and I’d ask anyone with information to look at their conscience and contact me so we can catch the heartless people involved.”
Detectives believe that two men were directly involved in the attack but that two other men were waiting in the vehicle.
Please call WMP on 101 if you have ANY information.
