Keighley Business Owner Isaac Ilyas Speaks of Shock After South Street Shop Burglary

KEIGHLEY, West Yorkshire — The owner of a newly established town-centre business has spoken of his utter shock and distress after burglars targeted his shop, stealing a substantial amount of stock and leaving behind a trail of damage.

Isaac Ilyas, who opened The Parts Pitstop on South Street just before Christmas 2025, has described the incident as a "crippling" blow for his young enterprise. The break-in took place in the early hours of Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at approximately 2:00 AM.

A Rapid and Targeted Raid

CCTV footage from a neighboring premises revealed that the offenders arrived in a Jeep-style vehicle. In a bold and aggressive entry, the burglars forced their way through the front entrance by "booting the door off" its frame. The entire operation was highly coordinated, lasting just two and a half minutes before the suspects sped away.

During the rapid raid, the thieves focused on retail stock, making off with key items including:

• Car engine oils and high-value additives
• An old car battery
• The shop's cash register (which was empty at the time)

In an attempt to cover their tracks, the burglars ripped the store's internal security camera off the wall, rendering local video evidence unavailable. However, police are analyzing footage from nearby establishments which captured the getaway vehicle.

Morale Blow for Young Entrepreneur

Speaking about the emotional and financial impact, Mr. Ilyas expressed his deep frustration. "To have this happen just months after opening is a massive setback," he stated. "It really knocks your confidence and morale when you are trying to build something positive in the community. But I am determined not to let them close us down, and we will continue trading."

West Yorkshire Police have launched a full investigation. Anyone who saw suspicious activity on South Street around 2:00 AM on April 29, or who has dashcam footage from the area, is urged to contact authorities immediately.