A life-long scooter enthusiast who had his 1961 Lambretta stolen from his driveway has had most of it returned - albeit in pieces - thanks to his scooter fraternity friends who tracked the whereabouts of his beloved scooter on Facebook.
Marshall Swonnell, aged 82, had his scooter stolen from his home in Stoneleigh Road, Carshalton, overnight on Monday, 7 March after leaving it chained and padlocked.
Marshall Swonnell, aged 82, had his scooter stolen from his home in Stoneleigh Road, Carshalton, overnight on Monday, 7 March after leaving it chained and padlocked.
When he awoke the following morning, Marshall, who is known as 'Chuckles the Legend' for his love of scooters and his good humour, was devastated to find his machine had gone.
But the thief hadn't reckoned on the determination of Marshall's scootering colleagues to use social media to search for any references to his distinctive coloured scooter, which he had bought brand new in 1961 for £189.
The trail led to the South coast and then to an alleyway in Penge where most of the scooter was found and has since been returned to Marshall, who has laid out all the parts in his front room ready to put them back together again in time for the Euro Lambretta rally in Germany this June having ridden it to rallies in Austria and Switzerland in the two years previously.
He is thrilled to have most of the bike returned and believes he can find replacements for the controls on the handlebars which are still missing.
Marshall, who is a member of the Lambretta and Vespa Clubs of Great Britain, and the London Lambretta Club, has ridden his scooter all over Europe clocking up over 100,000 miles.
Marshall, who describes himself as a 'happy go lucky fella' and is listed on the Veteran Vespa Club Hall of Fame, said: "Had it not been for my many friends helping me and social and don't expect I would have seen the scooter again. I am very grateful for all the help I have received."
If you have any information to help police, contact Sutton police station on 101 quoting ref no: 4002650/16. Alternatively, you Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
But the thief hadn't reckoned on the determination of Marshall's scootering colleagues to use social media to search for any references to his distinctive coloured scooter, which he had bought brand new in 1961 for £189.
The trail led to the South coast and then to an alleyway in Penge where most of the scooter was found and has since been returned to Marshall, who has laid out all the parts in his front room ready to put them back together again in time for the Euro Lambretta rally in Germany this June having ridden it to rallies in Austria and Switzerland in the two years previously.
He is thrilled to have most of the bike returned and believes he can find replacements for the controls on the handlebars which are still missing.
Marshall, who is a member of the Lambretta and Vespa Clubs of Great Britain, and the London Lambretta Club, has ridden his scooter all over Europe clocking up over 100,000 miles.
Marshall, who describes himself as a 'happy go lucky fella' and is listed on the Veteran Vespa Club Hall of Fame, said: "Had it not been for my many friends helping me and social and don't expect I would have seen the scooter again. I am very grateful for all the help I have received."
If you have any information to help police, contact Sutton police station on 101 quoting ref no: 4002650/16. Alternatively, you Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.