A classic car has been stolen, two days after police and housing officers snooped into a rented garage.

The 1970 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia belonging to David Morgan, 66, was being kept in Richland Avenue, when Sutton Housing Partnership workers and police decided to check what was in the garage, to make sure “no stolen cars were being stored there.”

Within two days of the officers opening and sealing the building, containing the white Karmann Ghia and a motor bike, both vehicles had disappeared from the garage.

Mr Morgan said: “It had been there for four years, but the rent in the garage had not been paid for a while.

“I don’t live in Sutton, but my son’s friend, who lives in the house behind the garage, told them the car was going to be collected soon.

“Two days later, on August 17, the car disappeared between 9pm and 10pm.

“Some neighbours said they saw a white pick up truck towing the car out of the garage.

“The car was in pretty good shape. We’ve had it for 25 years and it was very well kept.”

The 49-year-old car was uninsured, because it had not been on the road for at least four years and was worth between £7,000 and £10,000.

According to Mr Morgan, he called Sutton Police to report the crime, but they were too slow to act.

He said: “They haven’t interviewed the neighbours who saw the car being taken and haven’t even launched an appeal.

“Whoever took the car would have been picked up by CCTV on the road, but I wonder if police even checked it.

“I would really like to have the car back, but my hopes are fading.”

A spokesman for Sutton Police said: “During a community payback by Carshalton South & Clockhouse SNT on 18 August, at garages at the rear of Richland Avenue, a motorbike and car were found in insecure garages not subject to any rental agreements.

“Unfortunately, the bike and car were stolen during the night.

“Since then, the bike has been recovered and the individual found in possession of it was arrested and cautioned.

“Another person has been arrested in connection with the disappearance of the bike.

“A separate suspect was arrested in connection with the disappearance of the car. Police investigations are continuing.”

Anyone with information that could help police with enquiries, including the whereabouts of the car, should contact Carshalton South & Clockhouse SNT on 020 8721 2490 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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