Car thieves are targeting drivers who leave their top-of-the-range cars unlocked, it has been revealed.

One driver was left with a red face and a grazed knee after a thief made off in his £27,000 car while he was pumping air into a tyre.

The blue 2.4 litre four-door Mercedes Elegance, registration R873 JVW, was stolen from the forecourt of the Sainsbury's petrol station in Cricketers Way, Pitsea, last Monday at 1pm.

The driver was attending to the wheel when an unidentified person leapt into the driver's seat, started the engine and drove off.

He attempted to open the passenger door, but was flung to ground, grazing his knee.

Published Wednesday, March 20, 2002