Horrified couple's £16,500 Mercedes stripped by 'professional' thieves overnight

A horrified couple woke to find their £16,500 Mercedes had been stripped overnight in a callous night-time heist.

Taking everything from the front bumper to the seatbelts, the criminals certainly appeared to know exactly what they were doing as they decimated the car for parts.

The seats and even the seatbelts were stripped from the car 

The dark-grey C-Class was dismantled piece-by-piece on Marsh Lane in West Bromwich, West Midlands, in the early hours of December 10.

Shocking images show the skeletal remains of the car outside owner Paul Hampton's home.

Now his stepdaughter, Emily Heeley, 21, has urged motorists to park their cars in a secure location in a bid to deter criminals from stripping more vehicles.

Emily said: "No-one heard anything. No-one saw or heard this being done. We have asked our entire street and no-one knows what happened.

"When our neighbour looked at the window – at around 4.50am – she thought she was seeing things. But as soon as she noticed she banged on my mum’s door to sound the alarm.

"Paul is gutted. He works hard for his car. Most of the time he does 13-hour days, seven days a week.

"We have lived in this street for over 20 years and never had a problem."

Emily said forensic officers were drafted out to the street to take prints from the motor but was told not much could be found.

A £1,000 cash reward has also been issued to anyone with information that helps lead to a successful prosecution.

Emily added: "To say we are devastated is an understatement and to have this happen right outside your home is dreadful.

"This year has been hard enough but with it being two weeks to Christmas – it just makes it even worse.

"I wouldn’t wish what has happened to Paul on anyone."

West Midlands Police has been contacted for comment.

Mirror