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CAR BLIMEY
I couldn’t believe it when my car was stolen as I stood just YARDS away – now I’m terrified to go out
A GOBSMACKED delivery driver watched in horror as her car was stolen just yards away as she dropped off a package.
Joanne Armstrong stood stunned on a doorstep as the tracksuited thief drove off in her car after sneaking into the driver's seat behind her.
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The Evri courier was making her rounds in Atherstone, Warwickshire, when the rapid theft occurred last Wednesday - and it was all caught on video footage.
In the clip, the robber can be seen creeping over the road to Joanne’s Renault Captur as she approaches a house to make a delivery.
The next moment, he speeds off in the red car with her handbag and 19 undelivered parcels still inside, leaving Joanne in shock on the driveway.
The 51-year-old can be seen pacing in disbelief and panics to the woman whose parcel she’s just delivered.
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Joanne said: “The moment I opened the door and I handed her the parcel, he was in the background sneaking over.
“Then I heard the engine go and I turned round and I saw him. He just looked at me with a blank expression.
“I saw his face as clear as day and I ran towards it and he just zoomed off.
“You can see I’m hardly very far away from it.
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“[The woman on the doorstep] grabbed the phone and rang the police straight away.”
Since the ordeal, Joanne has been terrified to leave her home.
Now she's paranoid of being stalked after finding chilling footage of the same man following her to work out her route.
She added: “I did [enjoy working for Evri], but now I’m afraid to death to go out anywhere.
“I didn’t wanna leave the house on Wednesday.
“I went out on Friday night for a drink and I was walking home and I was looking over my shoulder.
“Nothing really phases me - I’ve worked in pubs all my life, I’ve owned a bar for five years, I’ve even been a postmistress - but to think that somebody is stalking you and watching you and what rounds you’re doing.
“I’m constantly watching now.
I’m constantly watching now.
Joanne Armstrong
“I did see this guy on the corner to turn left, but he was waiting. I thought oh he’s probably being picked up for work.
“He had his trainers on, tracksuit, he had a woollen hoodie on and like a grey woollen hat with a cap on.
“I think he was on the phone as well so I didn’t think anything of it. He must have been about 30.
“Somebody who I know followed him in his van, but they lost him.
“Apparently he was driving very erratically, overtook a few cars and nearly caused an accident.”
Joanne needs a car to earn a living and take her mum and auntie, both in their 80s, to hospital appointments.
I was in bits on Friday and I feel like crying now
Joanne Armstrong
She continued: “I was in bits on Friday and I feel like crying now.
“I went out last night and bought a car off my husband’s friend for £450.
“I’m nearly 52 years old, and I’m driving round in a £450 Vauxhall Corsa because I just need something to drive round.
“My phone was in the car. My bag was in the footwell covered with parcels and my car keys were in there.
“But it's a press button start, so even though the car was switched off and my keys were in my bag, if I’d have had my bag on me he would have still been able to press the button because I was so near to the car.
“But personally I think personally Evri should give the drivers a personal alarm or have a car tracker or something.”
The courier had insurance however her claim faces being turned down as the keys had been left in the car at the time.
She driver claimed Evri dealt with the incident very poorly.
She said: “I’ve not had one phone call from anybody at Evri. Not one message to say are you ok or anything like that.
“The police were really good, they came within half an hour to the house and they’re coming on Saturday to get a statement off me and the lady whose house it was.”
But Joanne claimed her area manager replied without any sympathy.
She said: “She messaged me back saying, ‘Did you leave your keys in the car? Are you working tomorrow?’ That’s all she said.
“And I just went, ‘Well no I’m not working tomorrow cos I haven’t got a car, have I?’”
A spokesperson from Evri said: "There are two managers in place at the depot – they have been in contact with Joanne, organising to cover her round until she is back.
"Joanne was not recommended the wrong insurance. The Evri insurance is a top up on her regular car insurance to cover business use.
"As she left her car keys in the vehicle this would most likely void any insurance claim.
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"All parcels have been reissued."
The Sun Online is waiting on a comment from Warwickshire Police.
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