A lorry driver asleep in his cab in a Northampton lay-by was tied up by raiders who stole thousands of pounds worth of Humax digital TV recorders.
Early on Monday the lorry was parked on the A45 at Collingtree. The Polish lorry driver was woken by the offenders who smashed their way into the cab and tied him up.
A spokesman from Northamptonshire Police said the lorry and its contents were then taken to the railway works access in Roade before being abandoned, although we are uncertain as to whether the entire contents of the vehicle were taken. He said:
We are appealing for information about a high-value robbery from a lorry which was transporting Humax digital video recorders.
The Polish lorry driver was asleep in his cab and was woken by the offenders, possibly three in total, who smashed their way into the cab, tied up the driver, and then drove the lorry towards Roade on the A508.
The lorry then turned right into Courteenhall Road before reaching Roade village and at the railway works access, in between Roade and Blisworth, the driver was off loaded from the lorry. Uninjured, he made his way back on foot to the Grange Park estate and raised the alarm.
It is believed the offenders moved the load, worth thousands of pounds, from the lorry to another vehicle. The lorry was found abandoned at the railway works.
During November, the Northamptonshire Police force had been issuing warning leaflets to lorry drivers which where distributed around lay-bys and other black spots where thefts, including this latest one, have been taking place this year.
This is a blow to some retailers, and customers alike, who have been struggling with high demand coupled with short supply. This week was supposed to see the start of significant increases in stock availability across retail outlets around the UK. We have been advised that many more shipments are planned including more later this week, however it is most unfortunate that after last weeks shortages, the product is likely to be just as scarce for a further week in many areas.
I cannot understand why freesat didn’t manufacture more devices – perhaps they thought it would be more unsucessful in the market place. Humax obviously in over their head, when will a proper supplier step up to the mark — where are you panasonic??
Not surprising I suppose that there are a few of these boxes on ebay such as this one: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Humax-FOXSAT-HDR-320GB-Freesat-HD-Digital-TV-Recorder_W0QQitemZ250337785085QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_AudioElectronicsVideo_Video_TelevisionSetTopBoxes?hash=item250337785085&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1301%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318
apparently it’s an unwanted present!!! (before Christmas!)
Thats what ya get when you employ polish lorry drivers! £22 would have seen him parked up in a secure truck stop with a security gaurd and camera’s! oh and a shower and evening meal thrown in too! Dont think its humax’s fault!
I have just received a email from Humax re the shortage of their PVR, they said deliverys are going out every Monday to the major stores in fact last Sunday 8/02/09 Argos had Humax PVRs for sale for home delivery!!