Thief carries out £100k raid on garage full of family’s antiques

“Shock”: heirlooms were stolen from Ajay Narang’s garage in Maida Vale
NIGEL HOWARD ©
WEST END FINAL

Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories, opinion and expert analysis

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

A finance worker today spoke of his heartbreak after antiques and heirlooms said to be worth more than £100,000 were stolen in a raid on his garage.

Ajay Narang said the belongings taken during the burglary in Maida Vale included a glove signed by boxer Muhammad Ali, believed to be worth £2,000, and a two-foot bronze Buddha sculpture he said was worth £5,000.

A silk Persian rug from the early 19th century and a Persian limestone relief panel were also among the items reported stolen.

CCTV footage shows a white Ford Transit van pull up outside the garage before a man loads the vehicle up.

“This was our entire life’s collection of antiques,” said father-of-two Mr Narang, 40.

A silk Persian rug from the early 19th century was among the items stolen
John Bateman

He had been storing artefacts belonging to his father Omi, 82, and mother Sucheta, 75, as well as his own valuables in the garage off Clarendon Terrace.

After speaking to neighbours and studying CCTV from a nearby apartment block, he believes the theft took place between 9.50am and 10am on July 10. But it was only three days later that he discovered the crime.

“I went to the garage on Monday, July 8 and it was secure. I next went on the Saturday evening and saw the lock was broken,” said Mr Narang, who has lived in the area since 1992.

CCTV footage shows a white Ford Transit van pull up outside the garage before a man loads it up
NIGEL HOWARD ©

“I don’t know how the thief did it but everything had been removed except a few items of no value.

“I was in sheer shock. My first thought was disbelief when I saw the garage. It is truly heartbreaking.”

Mr Narang has hired private investigator John Bateman to look into the theft. “It is upsetting to think these antiques might be sold off for a few pounds but the worst part is losing heirlooms that have been handed down through our family,” Mr Narang added.

A Met Police spokesman said officers were contacted on the evening of July 13 with reports of a burglary at the garage. There have been no arrests in the case.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or contact John Bateman on 07774 868648.

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in

MORE ABOUT