Shocking moment heartless thieves break into and steal terminally ill boy’s specially modified van

This is the shocking moment heartless thieves broke into and stole a terminally ill boy’s specially modified van. 

Elijah Cariazo, 13, was born with a rare muscular condition called myotubular myopathy which makes it difficult for him to breathe and swallow.

Police are investigating the theft of a grey Ford Transit Custom that was specially converted by Elijah’s family to transport him to hospital. 

Horrifying footage shows hooded thieves dressed in black breaking into the van in Hackney early on Tuesday morning before speeding off with it. 

Elijah’s mother Onessa said the van cannot be easily replaced as it took nine months to modify for her son’s needs. 

Onessa said: ‘I am appealing to everyone to keep an eye out for Elijah’s lifeline, this is not just a vehicle, it is our road to freedom. 

‘Without it, our poor boy cannot see in his final days. Every day is an extension, and we thank God.

‘This vehicle cannot be easily replaced and it is his 14 birthday in a few short days. We had hoped to take him away with his medical team to enjoy the surroundings of the countryside which he loves so much.

‘If you see a vehicle of this colour parked up unattended or don’t recognise it, please report it to the police, it may be nothing, but we need everyone to keep their eyes peeled and thank them in advance, this means so much to our family.’ 

Elijah survives with the help of bulky medical equipment that has required the family to use the specially modified van. 

Sergeant Adam Hunter of the Haggerston Safer Neighbourhood team said: ‘The Met takes every theft seriously, but this case is of particular concern to us due to the type of vehicle and the time sensitive nature of the investigation.

‘Officers are based in the area and are well known within the community. They are conducting house-to-house enquiries and trawling through hours of CCTV footage to track down the van, but time is of the essence so we are appealing to the public for any information they may have.’

Anyone with any information has been urged to call 101 quoting the 01/141980/24.