Thieves smash into Melbourn photographer’s car – stealing laptop, camera, lenses and memory sticks
Clive Porter stands next to the damaged car window where his camera was stolen from - Credit: Archant
A Melbourn photographer who for years has captured community events for the Crow has been left ‘devastated’ after thieves smashed into his car, taking his laptop, camera, memory sticks and SD cards with 15 years’ worth of photos stored on them.
The vaulable mountain bike stolen from owner Steve. - Credit: Archant
Clive Porter parked at Cambridge Motel’s car park in Shepreth on Friday night while he went to see if the singles club meeting there wanted him to take photos.
When he returned to his car to get his camera, he noticed to his horror that the driver’s side window had been smashed in and thieves had stolen his laptop, which was underneath his coat on the seat.
The 73-year-old said: “At first I was frozen when I saw what had happened. I then went back in to warn people, and on my return noticed the passenger’s window was also smashed, the boot was open, and my camera with specialised lenses, 10 memory sticks and 12 SD cards had gone.”
As well as the expense of replacing the valuable items – which could be in the region of £1,500 – Clive is distraught that 15 years of work stored on his memory sticks cannot be recovered.
Police would like to speak to this man. - Credit: Archant
He said: “It’s brought my depression back. Doing my photography and work with the Crow had made me feel better, now I feel terrible again.”
Clive is not the only victim to have a precious item stolen on Friday – bike enthusiast Steve Baker is appealing for witnesses after his expensive mountain bike was stolen from outside Melbourn Co-op.
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Steve Baker left his bike in the rack at about 2pm while he nipped into the shop, but when he returned it had vanished. He said: “It’s not something that usually happens around Melbourn, although my brother had his van broken into about three or four weeks ago.
“I didn’t have my lock with me. Police suspect that somebody walked into the shop for two minutes, then walked back out again and took it. It is worth about £2,000. I’ve had it for a few years and I regularly go on long bike rides.”
Police would like to speak to this man. - Credit: Archant
One distinguishing feature about the bike is that he replaced a bolt on the rear suspension. He said: “I could walk up to it and say: That is my bike.”
Police wish to speak to a white man who is about 6ft with a stocky build in connection with the theft. He has extensive tattoos on his forearms, and was seen wearing a short sleeved T-shirt with a black G-Star logo, grey trousers and a black beanie hat near the shop.
If you have any information about the bike theft, or the thieves who smashed into Clive’s car, then call Cambridgeshire police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
