Brazen thief steals buses from station and damages others
POLICE are hunting for a large luminous green bus that was stolen in broad daylight.
It was last spotted near Hotel Barcelona in Magdalen Street, Exeter, on Sunday afternoon but has not been seen since, despite the police helicopter being scrambled to join in the search.
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Richard Stevens with a bus similar to the one stolen EE300908_OS08_01
It was one of two buses stolen within the space of half an hour from alongside the bus station in Paris Street.
It is thought the same man, described as thin and dressed all in black, was behind both thefts.
The first bus to go was a single-decker, which was driven away at around 5pm on Sunday.
There were no passengers on board. It was later found empty and abandoned in Western Road, St Thomas, with its engine still running and its indicators flashing. It is believed the driver ran off.
Police were called by a bemused member of the public and in turn alerted bus company Stagecoach, which sent out a driver to bring its bus back home.
Then at 6.05pm, police were told that a green training coach belonging to Stagecoach had been taken from the bus depot.
The bus struck six other buses as it made its exit, causing hundreds of pounds of damage and forcing the vehicles out of service for repairs.
A police spokesman said: "The bus was described as being 30ft long and green with a big 'L' on the back and on both sides."
The Devon and Cornwall police helicopter was scrambled and officers began examining CCTV footage.
The green bus was spotted near Hotel Barcelona but after that disappeared from view and has not been seen since.
Richard Stevens, operations manager for Stagecoach, said: "This is absolutely deplorable behaviour and there is nothing funny about it at all.
"It is the damage that has been caused and the inconvenience of losing our training bus. It is still missing."
It is understood the missing bus is a veteran of long service which was due for retirement.
The force spokesman said police are linking the two incidents.
"There do seem to be certain similarities," he said.
Anyone who spots a luminous green bus with 'L's on its rear and sides is asked to contact their local police station or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
12 Comments
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by Richard, Exeter
Thursday, October 02 2008, 2:05PM
“To Jennifer of Somerset from Richard Stevens, operations manager for Stagecoach, said: "This is absolutely deplorable behaviour and there is nothing funny about it at all.”
by anon, exeter
Thursday, October 02 2008, 8:44AM
“im sorry but how can the police not spot a bright green bus, and the people at the bus station are a bit simple if they didnt hear the bus hitting other buses as it was being stolen.”
by Martin M, Alphington
Wednesday, October 01 2008, 9:56PM
“It's no wonder the buses have gone, they are often left unattended in the depot for anyone with the verve to remove them & as for their whereabouts, quick re-spray, container, 'Albania has two new buses - bargain for taxpayers in Tirana' reports Albanian news :)”
by Anon, Exeter
Wednesday, October 01 2008, 7:41PM
“im not sure about a tracker but a public transport vehicle must surely be fitted with a limiter??
And so ensued a 20mph chase through the streets of Exeter.
Either the bus went through a wormhole, or the police were called away to aa more important report of a teenage boy sporting a spiky hairdo in the vicinity of St Peter's CoE.”
by Jan, Exeter
Wednesday, October 01 2008, 4:43PM
“Surely -this vehicle must have been fitted with a tracker device ? most large companies fit them in their fleet nowadays ? the cost of bus fares would cover the price !”