Caravan theft suspect caught on Google Street View camera

Police have released a Google Street View image of a man which is believed to have been taken at around the time a caravan was stolen in Derbyshire.
The £12,000 white Abbey Adventura caravan went missing from outside a house in Cauldwell Road, Linton, sometime between 9.30am and 2.00pm on 5 June 2009.
David and Rebecca Soanes’s 11-year-old son Reuben stumbled upon the potential evidence while surfing the site to find an image of the family’s detached home. It is thought the Street View car could have been passing shortly before the theft and the balding stocky man was recorded on the driveway of the Soanes family’s home, with a green 4x4 that police suspect was used to tow away their caravan.

Wheel clamps securing the caravan were removed and left behind, but despite forensic examination of the scene the stolen vehicle was never traced.

Pc Adrian Mason, who is investigating the theft, said: "I've made extensive inquiries since the image was discovered but because the registration plate of the 4x4 is blanked out we have been unable to trace the man through his car. That is why we are appealing for the public's help."

It is unclear if Google retained the original picture with the registration plate unobscured, and if so, whether it provided the information to police or not.

In the meantime anyone who recognises the man should contact Derbyshire police.