Family 'left with nothing' after removal men take possessions
A family have lost almost all of their worldly possessions after removal men drove off during a house move and have never been since since.
Becky Szenk booked a removal firm named Lee Green, which she found on Facebook for her move.
She wanted her possessions moved from her flat in Mount Pleasant, Bilston to the Horse and Jockey pub in Walsall Wood, which her partner Mark Higgins now runs.
Two workers arrived in a rental van on Friday morning and loaded it up with the entire contents of the flat, including the fridge freezer, the washing machine, furniture and clothing.
They drove off and have not been seen since and on Sunday evening Becky found that the Facebook page had been taken down.
Miss Szenk, aged 22, said the family had valued their stolen possessions at around £10,000.
She said: "They were supposed to meet my partner at the pub but never turned up. We have been left with virtually nothing."
Miss Szenck described the men as 'very polite and courteous'. She said one identified himself as Lee Green and he had a Black Country accent. On his Facebook page he stated he lived in Tettenhall, Wolverhampton.
"Nearly everything we own was packed into that van. It all happened so quickly, around 45 minutes from start to finish.
"They were racing in and out of the flat. We just thought they were being very professional. But once they drove away we didn't see them again," she said.
The items that have disappeared included Becky's seven-month-old baby daughter Ariyah's clothing and medical records, food, a wardrobe, a settee, cutlery and numerous personal items including the couple's engagement gifts.
"The only thing they didn't go was the television, and that's only because we moved that ourselves in the car as we were worried about it getting damaged," Becky added.
"It's left us absolutely heartbroken. We can get new furniture but the personal stuff cannot be replaced.
"For us it's been a big lesson to learn. I just hope others can be more careful about trusting people they book over social media as I would hate for this to happen to anyone else."
West Midlands Police confirmed they are investigating and treating the crime as theft.
Spokeswoman Gina Lycett, said: "Police are investigating a theft after a family from Bilston hired a 'man with a van' to help them move house, advertised on a social networking site.
"A van was loaded with the family's belongings from Mount Pleasant in Bilston on 25 September.
"The man never arrived at their new home in Walsall.
"Detectives continue to investigate the theft and are appealing to anyone with information to call West Midlands Police on 101."
The Express & Star yesterday contacted a number provided for Lee Green who hung up when asked about the move.
Since the theft the family say they have been inundated with offers of support from friends, family and well-wishers, with some donating furniture and clothing.
A Go Fund Me set up to help the family raised almost £1,000 in one day.
Ms Szenk said: "We've been overwhelmed with the support we have had. In times like this it's heart warming to know there are some kind people out there."
The Go Fund Me page can be found at www.gofundme.com/cy5dumm9
