A tuk-tuk coffee cart stolen by three thieves who shunted it through the streets with their car has been found stripped of its appliances and defaced with explicit graffiti.
Entrepreneur Emily Herriott, 31, launched an online appeal after her cart, nicknamed Fred, was stolen last week.
Today she said it had been discovered near flats on an estate in east London, stripped of its electrics, coffee machines and gas works, painted black and daubed with graffiti.
She said: “I’m very sad to say that Fred did not get his fairytale ending… he was found looking quite different… it’s now with the police and the insurance company.
“I’m going to take some time to think and digest my next steps whilst the insurers get back to me.” The cart was imported from India two years ago and fitted out by Ms Herriott for her business, We Are Here Coffee, catering for commuters at Leyton Tube station.
CCTV footage showed the gang breaking into the three-wheeled vehicle in Leslie Road, Leyton, on Tuesday last week.
The three are then seen haplessly battling to push or drive it away before eventually deciding to nose it along the road with their silver Renault hatchback.
They were caught on another camera ten minutes later - having managed to travel less than half a mile.
The Met said that there had been no arrests. Officers in Waltham Forest are investigating.
