A FAMILY trying to “get back on their feet” after a devastating blaze ripped through their business have been left heartbroken after a crook stole their van.
On Tuesday night, a thief broke into a van belonging to Timber 4 U, in Progress Road, Eastwood, and sped off in the vehicle.
It comes after an arson attack on May 27 last year destroyed their business as firefighters spent more than 36 hours attempt to tackle the blaze.
The business, set up by Bradley Riley, 27, and his dad David, 45, uses recycled wood to create furniture and the pair are now urging anyone who may have witnessed the incident or spotted the van since to contact police.
Mr Riley said: “We’re heartbroken.
“The business has been trying to get back on its feet after the massive fire we had in May, and now this.
“You just can’t make it up.
“I was in the warehouse building last night after picking some bits up, turned around and the van was gone.
“I was left confused, so I quickly went and checked the cameras and saw the van dashing down the road and turning onto Rayleigh Road.
“I just don’t know what to do.
“We’re all incredibly angry by this, and it’s the last thing we need right now.
“A report has been made to Essex Police, and we’re just hoping and praying we can get it back.”
The van was stolen from Progress Road close to the business’s warehouse on the Rutherford business estate at roughly 9.19pm.
Bradley is now urging the public to make the van, a white Mercedes Sprinter Luton with the registration KN64 JPI, “too hot to handle”.
The 27-year-old posted footage of the van being stolen to Facebook.
Bradley only opened Timber 4 U in March last year, just two months before the fire, after the family’s previous firm Scaffold King closed due to the impact of the pandemic.
Now, Bradley and his dad are working on building a showroom that offers craft workshops and woodwork classes for the community.
Since the fire, the pair have been working tirelessly to ensure Timber 4 U thrives once again.
The Echo has contacted Essex Police for comment.
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