Sunshine Coast man offers $5000 cash reward to track down ‘ice junkie’ car thief

A Queensland man is offering a massive cash reward for anyone who can help him find the ‘ice junkie’ who stole his car in broad daylight.

A Sunshine Coast man is offering a $5000 reward for anyone with information that leads to the arrest of the “ice junkie” who stole his car in broad daylight.

Samuel McMahon unlocked his car, which was parked on Muraban St in Mooloolaba, at 10am on Tuesday and was about to head out for the day when he realised he had forgotten his jacket.

Leaving his keys on the passenger seat for just a moment, Mr McMahon walked to a shed “two metres away” to grab it.

When he turned back to the car, he saw a “young male” in the driver’s seat, “frantically trying to get the car started”.

Mr McMahon shared his experience on social media, saying by the time he realised what was happening, the thief had started the car and was “full accelerator in reverse”.

In the alleged offender’s “frantic attempt” to get away, he hit a “nice” BMW parked on the side of the road, “causing a lot of damage,” Mr McMahon wrote.

Samuel McMahon's stolen silver 2009 4x4 four-door Ford Ranger. Picture: Facebook / Samuel McMahon

Despite Mr McMahon shouting and giving chase, the thief put the car in drive and floored it.

“He was coming straight at me and I have no doubt he would have killed me so I moved out of the way,” Mr McMahon said.

“He has clipped my knee though, leaving it badly injured.”

The thief then sped away in the silver 2009 4x4 four-door Ford Ranger.

Mr McMahon said two other people witnessed the ordeal, one of whom chased the car down and filmed it travelling up Walan St past a Mooloolaba pub.

The thief is described as caucasian in appearance and wearing a black hat.

“The young scum … had a real ‘ice junkie’ look about him,” Mr McMahon wrote.

“I am personally offering $5000 cash for any information that leads to an arrest.

“Car was not insured for theft.”

Samuel McMahon is offering a $5000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the person who stole his silver 2009 4x4 four-door Ford Ranger. Picture: Facebook

On Wednesday, Mr McMahon told The Sunshine Coast Daily he had already received a deposit from a buyer who was lined up to come and collect the now-stolen vehicle that morning.

“I’ve obviously had to give him that money back,” he said.

“So not only have I lost the car and all the tools in the back of it, I’ve lost the money that was going to come in from the sale.”

He estimated the equipment he had in the car was worth as much as $3000.

The cost of living crisis was already putting pressure on Mr McMahon’s young family, making the loss even more upsetting.

Mr Mcmahon also revealed his two-year-old son was in the shed with him not long before the theft occurred.

“I took him to daycare but if had’ve been in the shed when the car was stolen, he would’ve run after me when I chased the car down,” he said.

“Even though that didn’t happen, it’s really played on my wife’s mind that he could’ve chased after me thinking it was a game.

“That’s probably been the biggest trauma of it all.”

Samuel McMahon estimates the gear he kept in his car, which was also consequently stolen, was worth as much as $3000. Image: Facebook / Samuel McMahon

Urging others to take extra security precautions, Mr McMahon said keeping “everything locked” was essential.

“You need to be so careful with stuff like this because I just keep seeing it happen,” he said.

Mr McMahon believes the thief would have “100 per cent” run him over as he sped away in the stolen car if he hadn’t jumped out of the way.

“These people don’t care. They don’t have any remorse,” he said.

Locals have shown support for Mr McMahon after seeing his Facebook post.

Adam Law said he was on the road a lot and would “keep an eye out bud”.

“Hope you are doing all right,” he said.

Offering tips to find the car, Sean van der Walt asked if there were any phones or tags in the vehicle to track.

“Glad you’re OK, your life and health is worth more,” he reminded Mr McMahon.

Mel Fry wanted to help spread the word.

“That’s so insane!!,” she wrote.

“So Sorry! Make sure you post in the sunny coast community boards!”

A Queensland Police Service spokesperson said they were investigating the theft and confirmed a BMW 2201 was hit in the process.

“The Ford remains outstanding and reportedly has several tools and machinery inside,” the spokesperson said.

“Anyone with information is urged to contact police.

“Investigations are ongoing.”