Student dragged 100 yards trying to stop car thief
Date published: 20 April 2011
AN OLDHAM College student was dragged 100 yards down the street as he tried to stop his car being stolen.
Kantilal Patel (67) watched in horror as he saw his grandson, Lanesh Kumar (17) from Rochdale, clinging on to his new Volkswagon Polo.
Lanesh had been standing in the doorway of his family’s shop on Oldham Road, Rochdale, for a few seconds, when a thief jumped into the car.
Lanesh jumped in front of it in a bid to stop the driver but the engine started and he was dragged along by his feet.
He was injured when the thief began snaking along Oldham Road in an attempt to shake him off.
He was then deliberately sandwiched between his own car and a Vauxhall Astra.
Mr Patel said: “I could not believe it. It happened in seconds. I was absolutely shocked when the car just sped off.
“I had told Lanesh just to let go as it was only a car but he held on and then next thing, he was on the floor.”
Lanesh was taken to the Royal Oldham Hospital where he had a scan to assess any spinal injury.
Police found Lanesh’s abandoned car in Worsley Place, Rochdale.
Det Insp Melanie Linton said: “This was a senseless assault and the man is extremely lucky he did not suffer more serious injuries.
“It is no exaggeration to say he could have been killed.
“Anyone who is prepared to do this just to get their hands on a car is clearly dangerous and violent and we are doing everything we can to catch him.”
