Trailer and wood for charity stolen
A trailer used by a local Freemasons group to transport charity fundraising firewood has been brazenly stolen in broad daylight, complete with a full load of logs.
The trailer, which was locked with a wheel clamp, had been parked on the corner of Bolton Street and State Highway One in Levin for just 15 minutes when it was stolen just after 9am last Sunday morning.
Owner Peter Rogers said the Freemasons group regularly used the trailer to collect wood from various local firewood sources, which they cut up and sold to raise funds for charities in the district, with around $20,000 having been raised to date.
Hundreds of loads had been collected over the past couple of years by volunteers to help support community initiatives, the latest recipient being youth project CACTUS.
Rogers said the trailer’s theft would severely hamper the group’s efforts to help others.
He said the trailer had been parked on the road for barely quarter of an hour outside his friend’s house, when noises that sounded like an anglegrinder cutting metal were heard.
By the time the man had got out of the house and down to the roadside to investigate, the trailer had vanished, its wheel clamp cut.
Rogers said he wanted to ask the community to keep their eyes out for the trailer, and report any possible sightings to police, in the hope of getting it back.
It has a metal frame with wooden ply sides attached and no cage, and is slightly wider than average, measuring eight feet by six feet, he said.
The registration plate, which is distinctive due to being mounted vertically rather than horizontally on the rear of the trailer, is W999P.
Another distinguishing characteristic is one bent wheel arch.
‘will Trailer’s theft hamper Freemason’s efforts to help others.
■ Levin Police can be contacted on 06 366 0500.