A Romsey man who had his Mercedes stolen from his home has said it is “beyond disgraceful” that it could be weeks before a police officer is assigned to the case.
Phillip Moore, of Princes Road, was trying to sell his Mercedes CLK Convertible when he was tricked by two men who raced away in the silver car.
Despite having video evidence and their mobile numbers, with the pair still mocking Mr Moore over the phone and sending laughing emojis, he was told that it could be three weeks before an investigating officer is assigned.
Mr Moore, 68, said: “It’s an outrage. I don’t know why it takes them so long. I have pictures, videos, dash cam footage and a willing witness. They have all this information and they are going to wait weeks. If that’s police work at its best, it’s shameful.”
Mr Moore had his car up for sale for £2,995 on eBay, Gumtree and Facebook, which the pair seemed happy to pay.
When he met them on Monday, October 30, one of the men asked if he could use the toilet so Mr Moore showed him inside. In the meantime, Mr Moore believes the other sprayed the engine to ruin the car.
Not knowing what had happened at the time Mr Moore apologised that the car wasn’t working and the two men offered to still buy it from him but for the scrap price of £950 which Mr Moore agreed.
When they all went in to fill out the paperwork, Mr Moore went to the toilet and came back to find the two men, the money and the car gone.
He still has photos of the men, including a photo of an expired passport.
Mr Moore said: “I was fooled and duped. They were very convincing. But the police don’t seem to be interested.
“I’ve done their job for them, I have all the evidence they just need to go and get them. They might be using pay-as-you-go phones which they could change. They’ve got the evidence to apprehend them now.
“I’m expecting nothing from the police. It’s beyond disgraceful.”
A spokesperson for Hampshire Police said: “It was reported to us on Monday, October 30 that a car had been stolen from Princes Road in Romsey.
“This incident and the lines of enquiry available to us in relation to it are currently being reviewed and an investigating officer is to be assigned in due course.”
Mr Moore was shocked to find that the Mercedes Benz, with the registration YP07 TMX, doesn’t show up as reported stolen on the website mycarcheck.
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