Home ransacked while owner’s stuck across border
NORTH Burnett resident Ray Aylett has been left fuming after more than $18,000 worth of goods were stolen from his home while he was interstate.
Mr Aylett had been stuck in the Northern Territory for six months due to the border restrictions.
He arrived there at Christmas to visit his wife, and was due to return in February, but was displaced when lockdowns occurred.
The previous owner of his property on Mt Woowoonga Rd, 6km from Biggenden, alerted Mr Aylett in early June about the suspicious placement of a wheelbarrow in his yard.
He had a friend check his residence to see if something was afoot, and was told his home had been ransacked.
“You work for 70-odd years, and you have this done to you,” he said.
“I’m still pissed off, even now.”
Everything from generators, welders, gold detectors, tools, clothes, and even toilet paper was stolen from Mr Aylett’s property.
He estimated $18,500 worth of materials had been stolen.
After finding out about the break-in, his mate David Keech contacted police to file a report, while Mr Aylett applied for a special exemption to reenter Queensland during the pandemic.
To add insult to injury, when he returned to the North Burnett, he discovered items in his vehicle were also stolen, and reported this to Maryborough police.
“I’ve had a gutful, I’m too old to start again,” Mr Aylett said.
“It just leaves a sour taste in your mouth.”
Investigations are continuing. If you have any information, please contact PoliceLink on 131 444.