A classic car stolen from a lock up was found by police thanks to an appeal launched by the Sutton Guardian.

A few weeks ago, our newspaper reported how the 1970 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia belonging to David Morgan, 66, was in a garage which was inspected by Sutton Housing Partnership workers, who went to check what was in it.

Two days after the officers opened and sealed the building containing the white Karmann Ghia and a motorbike, both vehicles had disappeared from the garage.

Mr Morgan said: “I received a call from police saying they found my car. I couldn’t believe it. I guess it was worth it having the appeal out in the newspaper.

“I just hope the people who stole it are punished now.”

The 39-year-old car was uninsured, because it had not been on the road for at least four years and was worth between £7,000 and £10,000.

At the time of the incident, Mr Morgan said: “It had been there for four years, but the rent in the garage had not been paid for a while.

“I don’t live in Sutton, but my son’s friend, who lives in the house behind the garage, told them the car was going to be collected soon.

“Two days later, on August 17, the car disappeared between 9pm and 10pm.

“Some neighbours said they saw a white pick up truck towing the car out of the garage.

“The car was in pretty good shape. We’ve had it for 25 years and it was very well kept.”

A spokesman for Sutton police said: “Surrey Police executed a search warrant at a farm at Newdigate, near Dorking, on October 15 and recovered the car. Surrey officers have made an arrest in connection with the vehicle and enquiries are ongoing.”

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