Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Robbers won’t ruin our big day
Family defiant after car stolen at baths
A brave family have refused to let the heartless crooks who robbed them of their car and several prized possessions while they enjoyed a swim ruin their Christmas.
Dad Richard Habbick, 39, took his two young sons to the baths on Saturday and came out of the pool to find his locker ransacked and belongings including his car keys gone – along with his Saab 93 estate which had been parked outside.
A brand new scooter belonging to five- year- old Maxwell – a replacement for one that had been stolen on holiday earlier this year – was in the boot.
Richard told the Advertiser: “I take Maxwell and Jude, who’s two, swimming every weekend and always use the same locker.
“I couldn’t believe it when I got out of the pool and discovered it was burst open. They took my phone, my wallet – which had my bank cards, driving licence and a John Lewis gift card that was a present from my mum inside – and car keys.
“When I realised the car keys were gone I looked out of the window to the small car park and realised my car was away.
“It had children’s car seats, a buggy and Maxwell’s scooter in it. We’d only just got him one after his previous scooter was stolen from outside a restaurant while we were having dinner in Lanzarote.
“The cost is mounting already as I had no insurance on my phone and wallet and I had to pay to change the locks on our house as my address was on my driving licence.
“The car was bought and paid
The most scary part of it all is that someone must have been watching us Dad Richard Habbick
for and now I’ll need to buy a new one. It’s the last thing you need leading up to Christmas.
“But we’re determined to not let it ruin things for the family. Maxwell has been asking where the car is but has been brilliant otherwise and it’s at times like this that make you realise how resilient you can be.”
Richard, of Muirhead, had a push-bike valued at £1250 stolen while attending a rally in Glasgow three months ago and his old home in the city’s West End was broken into back in 2006.
Though shaken by the latest theft, printer Richard is grateful it happened away from his family’s home – but wants what took place at the pool in Kilsyth to act as a warning to others to be wary of opportunist criminals.
He said: “The scariest part of is that someone must have been watching us, as my locker was the only one burst open.
“It all happened in the space of an hour and there was no CCTV in the baths to catch the culprits.
“I’ve used the locker to prevent my things from lying about the place and keep them safe but ironically I’ve lost them all.
“I’m just glad this robbery didn’t happen at the house as I know from experience it’s a horrible feeling when someone has been in your home rifling through your things.
“I want people to be aware of the possibility that someone is watching and looking to rob them.
“I don’t want this happening to anyone else and if our story can help others to keep an eye out for suspicious characters, or put people off stealing from others, then something good can come out of it.
“And it’s not just because Christmas is round the corner. Times are tough enough for most people throughout the year and this is the last thing anybody needs to go through.”
A spokesman for North Lanarkshire Leisure said: “This was a deeply distressing incident for Mr Habbick and his sons, and our staff provided them with full support and also contacted the police.
“The crime is currently being investigated and we would urge anyone with information to contact the police.”
Police have confirmed that Richard’s car was used in a ram-raid incident on Saturday night and that a man was apprehended.
Enquiries are still ongoing and information relating to the locker robbery can be provided by calling police on 101, or through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.