A MOUNTAIN bike enthusiast has been left devastated after thieves stole his £1,200 machine from the rear of his car.

He had just picked up the Specialized mountain bike, after having modified wheels and tyres fitted, when he parked his car in Eversham Road, Grangetown, near Middlesbrough, last Friday.

Within ten minutes, the car had been broken into and the bike stolen, along with a number of electrical items including a laptop computer and satellite navigation system.

IT technician Matthew Hepburn, 28, of Oakridge Road, Ushaw Moor, Durham, said: “The bike is very distinctive and means a lot to me. The laptop and other things can easily be replaced, but the bike cannot.

“We had only been parked up for ten minutes when we were told the car had been broken into and everything stolen.”

Mr Hepburn’s partner, Rachel Jackson, a 25-yearold conservation officer who works in Guisborough, said: “We couldn’t believe something like this could happen in such a short time and we certainly won’t be returning to Grangetown.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Cleveland Police on 01642-326326.