11:00am Sunday 30th November 2008
By Paddy McGuffin
A quick thinking Bradford woman alerted police after spotting a youth she suspected of riding the motor scooter that had been stolen from her.
Jean Grogan, a care worker from Thorpe Edge, had been visiting a client in Eccleshill on Wednesday evening. When she concluded her home visit she discovered that her silver motor scooter, which had been locked and parked outside the house, was no longer there.
She said: “I came out at 6.30pm and the scooter had gone. It had been parked up at the back of the house and secured. I called the police straight away. I was so upset and angry.
“That scooter is my life-line, I felt like my legs had been cut off. I rely on it for work. Without it I have had to cancel appointments with clients because I can’t get to them. I was absolutely traumatised.”
When she saw someone riding what she believed to be her scooter she called the police. Officers were able to trace the scooter and arrested a suspect. The scooter is now at a recovery centre in Leeds.
Mrs Grogan said: “It’s good that they have arrested someone and that the bike has been recovered. I have been told there is damage to the front panel and quite a few scratches to the bodywork but I’m hoping the damage isn’t too bad and I can get it back as soon as possible. I am not really able to work without it and next month’s pay cheque will be a lot less than normal. I really need it back.”
Inspector Pete Tuff of the Eccleshill Neighbourhood Police Team said: “We had a phone call and deployed officers into the area who recovered the bike and apprehended a 15-year-old from the Thorpe Edge area on suspicion of its theft “He has been charged with theft of motorcycle, riding without a licence, insurance and also a helmet and will appear at court in connection with these offences.
“We applaud the actions taken by the member of the public with regard to her quick thinking.”
e-mail: paddy.mcguffin@ telegraphandargus.co.uk
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