Murder probe after man dies trying to stop thief from stealing his Mercedes
7 February 2020, 17:23
Police have launched a murder investigation after a man died one month on from being run over while trying to stop a thief from stealing his car.
Marc Allen, 51, was hit and left in a coma while trying to stop someone from stealing his Mercedes from outside his home in Bexley.
He suffered serious head injuries and was in a coma for a month but died on Wednesday January 29.
Police raced to Peareswood Road in Erith shortly before 3am on 29 December where they found Mr Allen lying injured in the street.
He had left his house to try and tackle a thief who was trying to steal his car from his drive.
The suspect, who was in the vehicle, ran over the 51-year-old as he fled, hitting him and sending him flying over the roof of the car.
Mr Allen was left lying in the driveway with head injuries as the suspect fled the scene in the stolen vehicle.
Detective Inspector Jason Fitzpatrick, of Specialist Crime South, said: “This was a brutal and callous attack on an innocent man on his own doorstep.
"For simply defending his property, Mr Allen has paid the ultimate price, with his life; and my thoughts and sympathies are with his family at this time.
"Our enquiries are ongoing to try and establish how the suspect gained access to the keys for the vehicle and at this time I would appeal to anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or subsequently saw the car being driven in the area to come forward.”
Two days after the incident, a grey Mercedes GLA was found roughly 11 miles away the E14 area of London.
Police believe the car was left near Bronze Age Way in Erith for a number of hours after the attack.
A 27-year-old man was today arrested in E14 on suspicion of murder and burglary.
He was taken into custody at an east London police station where he remains.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Specialist Crime South on 020 8721 4622. Alternatively, one can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.
