A COVENTRY plasterer who claims a schoolboy tried to steal his wallet has asked for the city’s help to trace him – so he can make him wash his van.
Stephen O’Neill, director of B&B Plastering Ltd, says his work van was parked at Hearsall Common on Monday (April 1).
He alleges a boy in his school uniform attempted to steal the wallet from his van and, in his rush to escape, dropped his tie.
Mr O’Neill has offered the boy a chance to make amends, and the possibility of a few paid days work on Saturdays, to keep him away from crime.
The post on Facebook has been shared more than 3,000 times with many praising his methods as a great way to tackle youth crime.
Mr O’Neill said: “Someone’s son will be going home without their tie today after what seems like a bad attempt at breaking in to one of our vans at Hearsall Common today around 4pm.
“The window was ajar by a couple of centimetres while parked as its a sunny day and the front gets pretty warm.
“One individual from a group of boys aged approx 12 to 14 years old must have noticed a wallet in the door pocket and attempted to help himself to it.
“So if your son comes home after ‘losing’ his tie, tell him he is welcome to have it back but it will cost him a Saturday morning washing a van.
“If he does a nice job of it, he could potentially get himself a Saturday shift here and there to understand what it feels like to earn some money rather than steal the belongings of others who have worked for theirs.
“Please share this as someone might actually notice their son walks that way and lost his tie! Also, like our page to see if we find him! #catchtherascal”
