Appeal over theft of distinctive VW camper van
The owner of a 1973 registered Volkswagen camper van that was stolen from a shed in Ardbraccan last weekend has appealed to the public for help in tracing its whereabouts.
The distinctive 'Ferrari Green' VW van was lovingly restored by Robbie Lawson from Kells who bought it about ten years ago. It has huge sentimental value for him having travelled all around Ireland with his two sons Denis and Vitaliy in it.
"I did up the whole inside. It is custom built- a one off. Even the colour Ferrari green is. I did an awful lot of work on it. The engine had to be rebuilt and I redid the whole inside and reupholstered it. It is very distinctive inside. All the upholstery is cream with green piping and green stitching.
"It has gone all around Ireland a good few times, up to two years ago when Covid hit. It has a lot of sentimental value for me."
Robbie explained he has a landscaping business with a yard in Ardbraccan. They are in the process of moving yard and it was last Monday morning when the lads working for him were at the yard, that they noticed the camper van was gone.
Robbie believes that the VW van was specifically targeted as four other vintage vehicles he had there were not touched and neither was any of the landscaping equipment that was there.
He estimates that the van is worth around €25,000 to €30,000. Because it is so distinctive, it would be difficult to sell on and he doesn't know if it will end up being stripped for parts.
"It hasn't been started in two years so the battery would have been dead so they must have had some sort of way of transporting it," said Robbie.
He is appealing to anyone who has any information that could help them get the camper van back, to contact Gardai.
Navan Gardai are investigating the theft which occurred between 7am on Friday, 11th March, and 7am on Monday 14th March. Anyone with any information on the whereabouts of the vehicle or with any information in relation to the theft is asked to contact Navan Garda Station on (046) 9036100 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.