Thieves posing as police steal BMW in Telford
Thieves, posing as police officers this morning stole a man's car from him as he made his way to work in Telford.
The driver - a man in his 40s - was driving his white BMW 320, registration DS11 XYZ, along Dawley Road in Arleston when the incident happened at around 7.20am today.
As the victim drove along the road he noticed a black Vauxhall Astra with blue lights illuminated in the front grille approaching at speed from behind, just as he passed Lawley Furnaces.
The driver of the BMW thought the vehicle was trying to pass and slowed down. But the Astra slowed down, so the driver stopped his car by Lawley Services.
The driver of the Astra - who is described as Asian and was wearing black clothing and a high visibility jacket - approached the driver of the BMW and asked questions about the vehicle.
He eventually told the driver of the BMW to get out of his vehicle and to place the keys on top of the roof.
The victim complied with the request, but seconds later the suspect grabbed the keys and jumped into the BMW and drove off. The Astra also left the scene.
Police were called and a number of police officers immediately flooded the area to search for the two vehicles. Neither vehicle has yet been found. Enquiries are continuing.
Officers are eager to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time and are particularly keen to trace a man walking to work along Dawley Road at the time.
A Police spokeswoman said: "The victim was extremely shaken up but was fortunately not hurt. He has been driving for a number of years and has never been stopped by police before, so he believed that the suspects and what they asked him to do were completely plausible.
"We really need to speak to any motorists who drove along Dawley Road five to ten minutes before the incident occurred, and during or shortly after the incident. We are also keen to identify a man who was wearing a high visibility jacket and was walking, possibly to work, from Lawley to Wellington. He is not involved in the incident but we are hoping he may have seen something that will help us with our enquiries.
"We would also urge members of the public to be aware and if they see a white BMW with the registration DS11 XYZ to call us immediately."
A number of enquiries are being carried out and police are investigating whether the theft of some front grille lights from a working ambulance in Welington in the early hours of today, may be linked.
