Thieves 'have ruined my photo business' (From Warrington Guardian)

Thieves 'have ruined my photo business'

A TARPORLEY man's business is in ruins after thieves stole almost £15,000 of photographic equipment from his car.

Chris Wilde, aged 31, of Park Road, Tarporley, is now appealing for information that will lead to the return of two cameras, a lap top computer, a lens and flash gun.

The incident took place on Tuesday, January 12, between 10.15pm and 10.30pm, on Park Road, in Tarporley.

Chris said: "I parked the car outside my house and walked a couple of hundred yards up the street to see if the chip shop was open. I was gone literally a few minutes.

"When I came back I discovered my car window had been smashed and my equipment had gone.

"I have just started up my own business as a freelance photographer and I have put every last penny into it. I don't think my insurance will cover the cost of what is missing.

The items taken were a Kodak DCS 520 digital 35mm camera worth £9,000, a Cannon EOS1 35mm camera worth £1,400, an Apple Mac Power Book lap-top computer, a flash gun and several Caluana picture cards.

The items, which are worth a total of £14,695, were in a black Tamarac bag with two red stripes around it.

Mr Wilde continued: "One of the cameras which was stolen is worth £9,000 and was bought in America because there is a six month waiting list in this country to get one.

"There is actually a problem with this camera and it needs repairing. This can only be done at Kodak in Germany or Kodak in America. So effectively it is useless to the person who took it or anyone who buys it.

"I am appealing to camera shops or anyone else who is offered the digital camera in particular to contact the police.

He added: "I don't feel any malice and I am not bothered about pressing charges - I just want my camera back.

A spokeman for Cheshire Police said: "The Kodak DCS 520 Digital camera is an unusual piece of equipment and I do not think the thief would have known how much it was worth.

"Anyone who has seen any of the equipment or who has any information which could lead to its recovery should call Northwich Police on 48000."

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.