‘Lowlife scum’ break into house at Christmas, stealing thousands

Shane Taylor and his family are counting the costs after the theft, which included a car, boat, water sports gear, food, alcohol, fuel and a raft of other possessions.

The offender or offenders broke into the sheds and forced open a bathroom window. They had then combed the house, ransacking it, Mr Taylor said.

“They’ve even taken things down to gas bottles for the BBQ. They are lowlife scum,” he said.

Many of the items could be replaced or covered by insurance, though Mr Taylor said that was hardly the point.

“It’s an invasion of privacy. Knowing people have been through our house, that’s shocking,” he said.

One item Mr Taylor said would be most sorely missed was a Yamaha pee wee 50 with a distinctive sidecar.

The bike held sentimental value. His parents had bought it for him when he was a child.

In recent years, Mr Taylor’s daughter had begun riding the bike, transporting family members around the property.

Mr Taylor also hoped that a boat that  he had owned for many years could be tracked down.

It appeared the thieves had hooked the blue Flightcraft Phantom boat and its trailer onto a green VR Commodore which had also been stored on the property.

Mr Taylor suspected this was what they used to cart away the goods that they had stolen from the property.

He estimated the total value of goods stolen at between $25,000 and $30,000

Heathcote leading senior constable Dan O’Bree said police were investigating several incidents in the area. 

They appeared to have taken place either on Christmas Night or early Boxing Day morning. 

Another property in the area was broken into but nothing was stolen. It was unknown whether the incidents were linked.

Those with information should contact the Bendigo police station.