Surgeon found dead may have been trying to stop his car from being stolen

Cancer surgeon Anthony Owen was discovered next to his White Honda Civic while the engine was still running close to his home on a "Millionaire's Row" in the affluent Cheshire village of Hale. A passing driver found Mr Owen and said three youths fled the scene on BMX bicycles. Last night, three teenagers from Widnes, Cheshire, aged 14, 16 and 17, were arrested on suspicion of murder. Mr Owen, 68, was semi-retired and worked as a locum specialist at Wrexham Maelor Hospital. He had lived in the wealthy enclave between Widnes and Liverpool for more than 40 years and was believed to have been unmarried. John Regan, who had lived next door to Mr Owen since 1969, described him as a "perfect neighbour". Mr Regan, 81, was told of his friend's death after returning from a cruise in the Carribbean.