Apprentice tradie Kyle Maney’s $70,000 ute left a smouldering wreck after thieves embark on four-hour joy ride

A $70k Ford Ranger ute nabbed in broad daylight by brazen joy-riders was torched, leaving its owner devastated. See the shocking video.

A string of car thefts has left Mount Gambier residents up in arms as joy-riders tear up the streets in stolen vehicles, leaving a trail of destruction.

A 19-year-old apprentice is the latest victim, who had his $70,000 Ford Ranger stolen from a construction site just over 250 metres from the police station.

Kyle Maney said he’s been left devastated by the loss of the ute he had saved hard to get.

“I haven’t had it for long — to finally get a nice car and then for someone to have a four-hour joy ride and then burn it — I’ll have to start again — it’s a bit devastating,” he said.

“I’ll probably be without a car for 12-months.”

Kyle Maney's $70,000 Ford Next Gen Ranger was left a, burnt-out wreck after it was stolen from a construction worksite, just 250m away from the Mount Gambier Police Station. Picture: Supplied.

Mr Maney’s car tracking app linked to his phone was rendered useless by the thieves after they completed a master reset on the vehicle — severing its link to the phone.

“I spoke with the dealership and they said it’s not actually an easy thing to do — so they must know what they’re doing.”

The third year apprentice said he’s already lost wages with the time he’s been forced to take off from work and is worried about how he will get to work in the coming days.

Mr Maney said the suspected thieves spotted him leaving his keys in his Esky about 12.30pm, before his ute was taken at 1pm.

The burnt-out car was abandoned at a Suttontown Rd property about 10.20pm with MFS crews and police on scene shortly to help manage the blaze.

After receiving a call from a friend, Mr Maney arrived on the scene where he was forced to watch his beloved car go up in smoke.

“When we got there it was alight — and there was explosions going off,” he said.

“It was originally parked right on top of the property’s driveway — then there was this big bang and it must have blown the handbrake as it then started rolling backwards and crashed into the fence.”

A $70,000 ute has been left a charred husk after joy-riders destroyed the car after a four-hour stint. Picture: Supplied.

Nick Skrinnikoff’s driveway has been left with melted bitumen, shattered glass and a destroyed fence.

Mr Skrinnikoff was confident the damage would be covered by his insurance. However, he’s still unclear whether the potential excess could mean it would be cheaper to avoid going through his insurers.

Nick Skrinnikoff’s driveway has been left with melted bitumen, shattered glass and a destroyed fence. Picture: Arj Ganesan

Nick Skrinnikoff’s driveway has been left with melted bitumen, shattered glass and a destroyed fence. Picture: Arj Ganesan

There have been several thefts reported in recent weeks.

However, South Australian Police have refused the reveal how many cars have been reported stolen.

For nearly a week the burned out wreck of a four-wheel-drive has been sitting overturned in Mount Gambier’s Corriedale Park.

“Limestone Coast Police are investigating several reports of car theft in the Mount Gambier area over the past week, including a car that was set alight in Corriedale Park,” a police spokesman said.

Police still are still searching for the suspects involved in the theft and destruction of Mr Maney’s vehicle.

“Police urge owners to review and Increase car key security to reduce opportunities for theft of vehicles,” a police spokesman said.

“Anyone with information about any of these thefts is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”