Robbed of livelihood
Sweeping impact of car thefts
SHAUN Adaway hasn’t just had his car stolen – he’s lost his livelihood.
The Clifton Beach plumber was asleep at home on Tuesday night when juvenile offenders broke in while he, his wife and two sons slept, stole keys and left in his work ute and wife Kelly Hynes’ car.
The family knew nothing until they woke up on Wednesday morning and the cars were gone.
The Toyota Hilux and Holden Captiva are just the latest in a string of almost 600 vehicles stolen from across Cairns this year.
Both were found in Banksia St and a Shang St park in Mooroobool.
Mr Adaway said the Captiva had been found relatively undamaged, but his ute was likely a write-off after it was possibly taken on a “joy ride” and smashed into a tree.
Expensive tools from inside were also gone.
“Obviously as a small business plumber, that car is my business, that’s it,” he said.
“For the next couple of weeks I guess I’m just going to have to patch away my jobs. Financially I’m going to take a big hit on this one.
“I’ve got jobs built up and it could take a hit on my reputation. I don’t know whether (the solution) is jail itself, but maybe it’s the fright they need ... something to learn the lesson.”
The Northern Beaches area was targeted again on Wednesday night with two cars stolen from a Smithfield home, while there were also a number of break-ins.
One of the vehicles taken was a Toyota 86 sports car.
Smithfield police Det Sgt Gary Hall said investigations into the car thefts continued and called on anyone with information to come forward.
Opposition leader Tim Nicholls said the ongoing property crime spike proved harsher penalties were required. He said the LNP had no plans to reintroduce boot camps but may consider mandatory sentences.