A callous burglary has left locals sickened, with a theft leaving a senior Terang resident without transport.
Gladys Gardiner, of Wilson Street, now has to rely on family, friends and a community bus service to get around after brazen thieves broke into her home and took her electric scooter.
Police say that between Thursday night and early Friday morning, unknown offenders broke into Mrs Gardiner’s house, probably via the back door. They unplugged her scooter, which was charging over night, and apparently took it joy riding.
A local found the scooter on Friday at the Terang Recreation Reserve and alerted police.
Terang Police’s Senior Constable Leigh Hallinan said that when they recovered the transportation device, its seat was broken, steering column collapsed and its headlights appeared to have been “kicked off.”
Snr Const Hallinan said the damage had “left a bad taste,” and was an especially low thing to do.
Mrs Gardiner said the loss of her scooter has affected her greatly, as it was her only means of transportation.
“It’s had quite an impact. I can’t get myself up the street,” she says.
“I can walk a bit, but I can’t walk right up the street. It was my only transportation I had to get around.
“It’s bad really, to think I can’t get around.”
Mrs Gardiner is now investigating how the scooter can be replaced. It had been provided via a government scheme.
Police have yet to identify the culprits.
Police are also seeking information on two other incidents from the last week.
Between Wednesday night on February 2 and the following morning, thieves broke into a Holden Commodore on Lyons Street. A joyride ended with the stolen car smashing through the fences of two properties near the corner of Terang Mortlake Road and Blackiston Street.
Snr Const Hallinan said locals should take heed from the incident, with the owner having left his keys in the car.
“Don’t leave your keys in cars, don’t leave your cars unlocked,” he said.
Police are also seeking assistance concerning some vandalism on Pontings Road, Noorat.
Police said five road signs were pushed over, apparently by a four-wheel drive vehicle. The incident happened over the weekend.
Anyone with information on any of these crimes can contact Terang Police on 5592 1058, or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.