THIEVES stole and trashed a local taxi driver’s ute while he was out working in Ballarat at the weekend.
Daylesford man Rob Talbot parked his 1995 Mazda ute in Chisholm Street at 5pm on Friday, switching vehicles for his taxi just before a 12-hour shift in Ballarat.
When he returned just before 5am on Saturday, his ute was gone.
It was found by police yesterday, trashed and dumped just off a four-wheel-drive track at Mt Buninyong.
Several items, including many of deep sentimental value to Mr Talbot, were stolen from inside the vehicle.
Toolboxes containing tools from Mr Talbot’s late father, a metal detector, a briefcase and a wallet containing work-related cards were among the items stolen.
“Dad gave me some of those tools when I turned 21,” he said.
“I can always replace the tools, but they’re not the same ones my dad handed to me.”
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Mr Talbot said at the very least, the thieves should hand the wallet back, which contained cards crucial to the running of his business.
“I’m pretty big on forgiveness if kids do the wrong thing, but I just want it rectified,” he said.
“At least hand the wallet back, those cards are necessary.”
Mr Talbot said he had parked his ute in a similar position before other taxi shifts and had never had a problem before.
“It’s usually a pretty safe area. The ute was totally locked, I’ve got the key and the spare key is still here,” he said.
“It looks like it was done by someone who knows what they were doing.”
No one has yet been arrested and police are calling for anyone with information to come forward.
Anyone with information on the theft can call the Ballarat Police station on 5336 6000 or Crime Stoppers, anonymously, on 1800 333 000.
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