A 73-year-old man lived one of the ultimate grey nomad nightmares this week when his caravan was stolen … with him asleep in the back!
Police say the victim woke in the early hours of Tuesday morning to find he was being towed away from where he had parked outside his son’s house in Shepparton in Victoria.
The unknown offenders then drove a few kilometres before unhooking the van.
Police arrived at the same time the offenders had returned to the white Nissan Navara they were travelling in.
Officers attempted to intercept the utility but it sped off, crossing onto the wrong side of Richmond Street and was last seen heading east on Channel Road.
Police have released an image of the vehicle used in a string of thefts. PIC: Police Victoria
Fortunately, the victim was not physically injured in the incident.
Checks revealed the Nissan had been stolen from the Victorian town of Newport a couple of hours away on February 25.
The vehicle has been sighted at several other incidents including;
– Towing a stolen caravan in Spotswood on March 6.
– A trailer theft, and theft from motor vehicle in Point Cook on March 8.
– A motorbike theft in Kensington on March 13.
The Nissan was last seen bearing stolen number plates 2BV 8VM.
Police have released an image of the vehicle in the hope that someone sights it and can provide information on its whereabouts.
Anyone who does see the Nissan is urged to contact Triple-Zero (000) immediately.
Anyone with information on one of the incidents, including CCTV or dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
WIN A DOUBLE PASS TO HISTORIC WINTON
Grey Nomad members are being given the chance to win one of two double passes for the 48th Historic Winton to be held May 24-25 at Winton Motor Raceway in Victoria. The fabulous event promises two full days of historic car racing and vehicle displays of the elegant, the rustic, the weird and wacky. Both double passes (each valued at $170) offer entry for two people for both days. Camping is available at the event.
Click here to learn about Historic Winton, our competition, and how to enter.
Members: If you wish to enter, please click here.
Witi anti theft. Works flawlessly.
Is there such a thing as a lockable tow bar cap? If not, I’d be going to a metalworker and designing one together. Easy enough to have the cap hinged to lift up when not in use.
You can buy lockable tow ball caps fits inside hitch with U clamp lock.
Not really the answer. theives wrap chain around it all and away they go. Try the Apple air tag – you can find your van anywhere.
With Battery operated Grinders nothing will stop a determined thief; the pad lock is the weakest point no matter what locking device it is attached to; we have a Terrier dog as a deterrent that thinks the whole of Australia is his domain.
Like.
We have a wheel lockattached to the vans wheel.
‘Police arrived at the same time the offenders returned’
‘Officers attempted to intercept the utility, but it sped off’
That just about sums up the these useless government tax collectors.
To quote actor Robert Morley …..and just when you think a situation could not get any worse,
….and then the police arrived.
Invest in a very good wheel lock if the van is to be parked on the street.
If they want it , they will take it.
We just try and make our van less atractive to take, tow ball hitch lock,wheel locks,and being a large van makes it lees actractive.