Bradford on Avon cab firm's taxi stolen
http://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/news/la ... xi_stolen/
A bizarre break-in at a Bradford on Avon taxi firm has left the owners baffled.
Burglars broke into Bradford on Avon Taxis’ office in Station Approach in the early hours of Friday, taking a £22,000 Toyota Prius and a mobile phone, and leaving behind a trail of damage.
Milk from the fridge was poured around the office, into the TV and the phones, shorting them out, and food from the fridge was stuffed into the microwave which was then turned on, causing it to catch fire.
Cabbie Mike Brigham, 54, who runs the firm with Terry Chivers, 50, said: “We are really flabbergasted by the whole thing. The police can’t understand it.
“It wasn’t a burglary, it was a break-in intended to cause grief and mayhem, but I can’t understand what their motive was.
“There was nothing worth stealing in the office, but they didn’t even open the drawers and look.
“The actual break-in was quite professional, according to the police. The padlock was taken away because it can be used to identify the culprits by their tool marks.
“But professional burglars don’t waste time pouring milk everywhere – it is quite extraordinary.”
Mr Brigham bought his silver Toyota Prius only two years ago, becoming one of the first cabbies in West Wiltshire to use a fuel-saving hybrid car.
He has had to buy a new Hackney cab licence to keep the business going, but is hoping his Prius will still turn up somewhere.
He said: “It has taken us several days to recover and repair the damage, but the insurance companies move slowly when dealing with stolen vehicles and don’t supply a replacement.”
Mr Brigham and Mr Chivers used to work for Ashley Cars, before it was taken over by Abbey Taxis of Bath, prompting them to start up on their own in October.
He said: “We’ve only been here two months and have done quite well – and then this happens.
“We’re a bit devastated because we’ve put a lot of work into trying to keep this office open so the town has a local cab firm. But I’m not angry, more disheartened. You think, what’s the point? I don’t really need this.”
Trowbridge police inspector Dave Cullop said: "We are currently following up camera opportunities from the scene.
"We would ask anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area at that time to contact us as it could be the bit of information we need."
Call PC Lovelock at Bradford on Avon station on 0845 408 7000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if you can help.
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