32-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder of delivery driver in Leeds | UK news

A 32-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a parcel delivery worker was killed in Leeds.

The criminal police are looking for witnesses to the death of 42-year-old Claudiu-Carol Kondor, who was described by his colleagues as a “devoted and valued” friend.

Kondor was pronounced dead at the scene of an accident in Wortley, Leeds, on Tuesday after his silver Ford Transit van was stolen while he was making a delivery. He was given emergency medical treatment by paramedics at around 6.50pm but was pronounced dead a short time later.

The van was soon found abandoned about ten kilometers away in the Belle Isle district of Leeds and a man was arrested.

In an obituary, Mike Neill, operations manager of SP Transport Group, the delivery company Kondor worked for, said the “unimaginable loss has devastated us all.”

He said: “Claudiu was more than just a colleague – he was a friend, a confidant and a valued member of our team. His dedication to his work and the camaraderie he brought to the workplace will never be forgotten. The impact of this tragedy extends far beyond our workplace and affects everyone who had the privilege of knowing Claudiu.”

An online fundraiser raised more than £10,000 for Kondor's family from Sheffield.

On Wednesday, police described the death as a “truly shocking incident in which the victim was killed while carrying out his duties as a parcel delivery driver.”

Lead investigating officer, DCI James Entwistle, said: “We have spoken to a number of witnesses but are still very interested to hear from anyone who witnessed any part of this incident.

“This plea covers the circumstances of the theft of the van on Alliance Street at approximately 6:45 p.m., its travel along Heights Drive to where the victim was found, its movements as it fled the scene, and its movements before it was found abandoned in Highlands Walk in Belle Isle, approximately six miles away.”