Moment that masked gang threaten plumber with his own DRILL

Shocking footage shows masked thugs robbing a plumber’s van in broad daylight and threatening him with his own drill in front of his grandson and daughter.

Matthew O’Shea, 46, claims he has been robbed of his ‘livelihood’ since a gang of five lads stole £2,500 worth of tools and caused £1,500 of damage to his van.

He had nipped home to check on his grandson Ronnie O’Shea, aged eight months, and daughter Lucy-Grace O’Shea, 18, when he spotted the gang outside his home.

As the father-of-four peered out his window he realised the thieves were breaking into his van and rushed to his front door to turn on his doorbell camera. 

The camera recorded a 30-second video that shows one thief trying to barricade Mr O’Shea in his home in Coalville, Leicestershire as the others raid his van.

As he shouted for them to stop, the thugs repeatedly told Mr O’Shea to ‘f*** off’ before one grabbed a drill from the van and wielded it towards the grandfather.

Mr O’Shea could only watch helplessly as he feared he would ‘get stabbed’ if he tried to fight them off and worried they would then hurt baby Ronnie and Lucy-Grace.

Mr O’Shea said: ‘I managed to get out because I’m twice the size of most of them but my main priority was my daughter and my grandson.

‘I knew I had to be careful. I could have gone out and had a go at them but there were five lads and they had my tools and bats and things like that.

‘I realised if I went out I could get stabbed or injured and even worse then they might come in the house and hurt my grandson and daughter.

‘It was terrifying, it was terrible. All I could do was shout at them to leave. They took about £2,500 of stuff and did about £1,500 damage to the van. That’s my livelihood.

The camera recorded a 30-second video that shows one thief trying to barricade Mr O’Shea in his home in Coalville, Leicestershire as the others raid his van

‘I’m the victim and I’m the one who’s going to end up being punished in the long-run. I’m literally sat here today thinking what is the point? Is it worth carrying on?’

As the gang made off towards their grey BMW with his ‘livelihood’, Mr O’Shea ran after them and claims he was violently pushed away.

The father then called 999 before jumping into his van to pursue the gang for four or five miles before they got away.

Leicestershire Police are investigating the incident which they believe may be linked to a string of similar thefts in the Charnwood area – but have yet to make any arrests.

Mr O’Shea says the ‘terrible’ ordeal has not just affected him but his wife Lisa O’Shea, 45, and all four of their children.

Mr O’Shea said: ‘I ran after them and tried to get the tools of them and one of them pushed me back.

Matthew O’Shea (middle) is pictured with his daughters Casey (left) and Lucy-Grace (right)

‘I called 999 then got in my van and chased them. I managed to keep up for four or five miles but they were in a BMW sport.

‘My daughter was really shaken by it – we all have been.

‘My youngest son was really shaken. He sat with his mum all night. He was so upset still today, he didn’t even want to go to school.

‘These are organised gangs. The police probably aren’t going to be able to catch them. It’s terrible.

‘I don’t know if I believe in karma but I hope it comes back and bites them in the future.’

Leicestershire Police are appealing for anyone with any information to come forward.

The force attended four other incidents involving theft of tools in the Charnwood area yesterday and say there is an ‘indication’ all the events are linked.

Mr O’Shea says the ‘terrible’ ordeal has not just affected him but his wife Lisa O’Shea, 45, and all four of their children