A family’s hard work, thrift and planning in building themselves a collection of recreational motorcycles has been ruined by a planned theft at a house in Majorca, north of Ballarat.
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Six motorcycles, a ride-on motor-mower, helmets, clothing and riding safety gear was stolen from the Svensen’s Road property in a theft that local police say must have required the use of at least two cars and trailers or a truck. The theft was discovered last Saturday.
Rebekah Church says she and her partner had worked hard to purchase the bikes, and encouraged their children Hayley, 9, and Benjamin, 4, to give up privileges and take responsibility for themselves to earn them.
“It really sucks that so much was taken,” says Ms Church.
“Twelve months ago we had one bike taken; this time they’ve come back and completely wiped us out. There’s no way they could have taken that much stuff with out planning it.”
While the motorcycles were not new or particularly expensive models, the combined value of theft is still around $10,000, which will most likely not be covered by insurance, says Ms Church.
“Even if it is, it will probably be only $2000,” she says. “We can’t afford to replace the bikes.”
Ms Church says the hardest thing has been dealing with her son Ben’s disappointment.
“None of these were new bikes, and we bought his on Facebook,” she says.
“He gave up his dummy to get a bike, and he never got to ride it. He got his gear for Christmas, and he literally put it on, but he never got to ride his bike,” she says.
Alongside the loss of the motorcycles, the added theft of the ride-on mower also stings, as it was a prized belonging of her partner’s now-deceased father.
“His ashes are up at the house, but the theft has really spoiled going there for us,” says Ms Church. “We find it hard to enjoy being there now.”
Police are investigating the theft, and have called for anyone with information about suspicious vehicles in the area to contact them.