Dr Feelgood reunited with stolen van and equipment after theft
Leigh Milner/BBCA rock band was left feeling good after police reunited its members with their stolen van and prized equipment.
The car was driven off from Dr Feelgood bassist Phil Mitchell's home in Hockley, Essex, between 15 and 16 April, Essex Police said.
Officers found it at a "vehicle chop shop" when called to a disturbance in Tolleshunt D'Arcy, Essex, on 17 April.
"I was amazed because I'd mentally written it off as never to be seen again," Mitchell told the BBC.
"We were lucky they got raided at just the time where our van was about to be destroyed."
Leigh Milner/BBCPolice estimated about £20,000 in equipment was inside the £50,000 Mercedes Sprinter, which was tailor made for the band, when it was stolen from the bassist's driveway.
Mitchell, 71, said among the items discovered was his bass guitar purchased when he was just 17 years old.
The band, founded on Canvey Island, Essex, would now be able to embark on its tour of Germany and planned to travel on Thursday, he said.
"It would have been a great inconvenience to have started again... The consequences were just horrific," Mitchell added.
"As it turns out we were lucky, the police did [its] job and we're back on the road."
Dr FeelgoodPC Phil Pentelow, from Essex Police's stolen vehicle intelligence unit, said the van was found on a farm after officers were called to a disturbance.
"It was located immediately outside what we would call a chop shop - where stolen vehicles are taken to be dismantled," he explained.
No arrests have been made yet but officers believed they were "getting close," Mr Pentelow said.
He added: "There's nothing better doing our job than reuniting people with priceless possessions. You really can't put a price on the satisfaction that gives us."
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