Appeal launched after power tools stolen from vans in Derby

We are appealing for the public’s help after a number of power tools were stolen from two vans in Chaddesden, Derby.

The first incident saw a van broken into by three men in Walton Road at 9.45pm on Wednesday 11 December.

The trio stole a number of DeWalt branded tools and left the scene in a White Audi A3.

The same group are also believed to have stolen a chainsaw from a van parked on Meadow Lane, Derby, sometime after 7.30pm on Wednesday 11 December.

Officers were able to arrest one of the men later that night.

Gerard McDonagh, 18, of Woodside Park, Oxford Road, Ryton-on-Dunsmore, Warwickshire has been charged with:-

*Theft from a motor vehicle

*Driving a motor vehicle which had been taken without the owner’s consent

*Driving without insurance 

*Possession of an offensive weapon in a public place 

*Going equipped for theft.

He appeared at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court on Friday 13 December where the matter was adjourned. He was remanded into custody to appear at a later date.  

The two other men managed to flee and officers are appealing for the public’s help in bringing them to justice.  

CCTV captured the three men – with one wearing an all-black hooded top and tracksuit bottoms, another was in a grey tracksuit and a blue scarf covering his face, while the third was wearing an all-black tracksuit with yellow t-shirt showing from underneath.

Footage shows the vehicle may have been driven on the following roads both before and after the Walton Road incident:- Meadow Lane, The Crescent, Nottingham Road, Highfield Lane and Ordish Avenue.

We are keen to hear from anyone with information, but of particular interest are any homeowners who have CCTV footage that covers the above areas, and who have not already spoken with officers.

Anyone with information is asked to contact us using any of the below methods, including reference 24*736142 for the Walton Road incident, or 24*738442 for the Meadow Lane theft:  

• Website – We have crime reporting tools on our website: use our online contact form
• Facebook – send us a private message to the Derbyshire Constabulary Facebook page
• X (Twitter) – direct message our contact centre via @DerPolContact
• Phone – call us on 101 

You can also anonymously contact the independent charity CrimeStoppers, on 0800 555 111, or by visiting the CrimeStoppers website.