Video: Van driver run over by own vehicle in Rochdale petrol station car theft
The car thief struck after the van driver had left his keys in the ignition of the vehicle
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This CCTV footage captures the moment a white van driver was run over by his own vehicle following a car theft at a petrol station near Manchester.
The incident which happened on the 29 December at a service station in Rochdale, shows the driver of the van leave his car with the keys in the ignition as he goes to pay for his petrol.
Within seconds though, an opportunist thief spots the open car and runs through the station’s forecourt and into the car before driving off.
According to Greater Manchester Police, the victim was shaken up but “luckily” not badly injured as a result of the incident that took place at Dean Service Station on Oldham Road in Rochdale.
Det Sgt Chris Mannion, from GMP’s Rochdale division, said: “This was an opportunistic robbery, the thief saw the keys left in the ignition, ran over to the van and drove.
“When the victim saw what was happening he tried to protect his livelihood and ran into the path of the moving van. Luckily for him he was not badly hurt, but that doesn’t take away the fact he had his van stolen with equipment in the back.”
Sgt Mannion said that the van was found abandoned a few days later with the driver’s laptop missing.
Police have now released the video to the public, in an effort to track down the offender.
Greater Manchester Police have urged anyone with any information to contact them on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.