Multiple people have claimed a man spotted trying car doors was the same person who previously stole their vehicles.

Images of the suspect, dubbed "grey hoodie guy", were shared last week showing him targeting cars in the early hours. 

One person online said "last week he got our car", while another added "same man as on CCTV taking my car in February", and a third said “prob the same guy who stole my car too”.

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Sara Muir wrote: "Is this the same grey hoodie guy who nicked my Mercedes GLS in May? Got him on CCTV. It's like his costume, like a caped crusader but a baddie one."

She told the Watford Observer she was left "heartbroken" after priceless CDs inside the car were also taken.

“Some of them belonged to my late brother, I prized them," she continued.

"That’s what I find the most upsetting, you can take the car but leave the CDs, the personal possessions.”

Watford Observer: Ring doorbell images of the man trying doorsRing doorbell images of the man trying doors (Image: UGC)

Sara added there was no way to be sure it was the same man but said she recognised the similar build and backpack.

Another woman, who did not want to be identified, said she saw a tall, slim man in a black hoodie walking down Chester Road, Watford, on October 8 trying car door handles.

The mother shouted at him, causing him to walk off and she then reported him to police. She added it was “probably” the same man.

The owner of the vehicles in the original footage told the Watford Observer he did not report it to police because he "doesn’t feel anything will be done".

Watford Observer: A man in a grey hoodie and a man in a backpack before the Mercedes GLS was stolen and a man in a grey hoodie passing back across the camera afterwardsA man in a grey hoodie and a man in a backpack before the Mercedes GLS was stolen and a man in a grey hoodie passing back across the camera afterwards (Image: Sara Muir)He added that he hoped exposing the footage will “make him think twice or stop him doing it again”.

Earlier this month Hertfordshire Constabulary were branded “shameful” after 1,201 cars were stolen in Herts – but only around 2% led to charges.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Clawson said vehicle crime nationwide had risen and it was one of Herts Police’s main priorities.

"We have had a number of successes in arresting and convicting offenders for vehicle thefts,” he added.

“However, many of the vehicles stolen are targeted by organised gangs who are adept at accessing and removing vehicles quickly."

Hertfordshire Constabulary encouraged people to report any incidents such as this to them. 

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