Thieves steal caravan from Clontarf business on August 2

A Caboolture couple has been left shattered after their retirement dream was stolen by callous thieves in the middle of the night.

“Get a life, get a job, work hard, pay for your own stuff and don’t ruin other people’s lives.”

That’s the simple message, from a Caboolture couple who have had their retirement dreams shattered by a pair of brazen thieves who stole their caravan.

Merv and Linda Roberts’s pride and joy was having alterations done at a business in Clontarf when opportunistic thieves pounced in the dead of the night.

On August 2, just before 2am, at least two people cut a hole in the perimeter fence of a Macdonnell Road caravan business.

Senior Constable Jo Arthur said CCTV footage shows the passenger getting out of a dark coloured single cab 4WD vehicle and hooking up the caravan.

“It was last seen heading southbound out the industrial estate towards McDonnell road Clontarf,’ she said.

The Roberts’ had not long returned from a trip to Darwin when they decided to have some additional work done.

The pair had spent around $7000 doing the van up just recently with a new tv and solar panels added.

“It was our pride and joy, we had spent thousands on it to get it all ready,” Mr Roberts said.

“I nearly broken down in tears and my wife did break down in tears

“My wife’s father passed away awhile ago and part of his inheritance he said ‘go and get yourself something decent’ so that’s what we did.

“So there’s an emotional connection there.”

The parents of six and grandparents to 15, with one more on the way, say their plans for retirement have now gone out the window.

The 60 and 61-year-olds were planning to go around Australia.

“We were hoping of doing that in a couple of years time so that’s been put back,” he said.

“We’ve done it hard, we’ve got six boys and 15 grandchildren with another on the way.

“It’s been an emotional rollercoaster this week.

“It leaves a horrible taste in your mouth … I hated seeing my wife go through what she did the other day.”

The stolen 2007 Dreamhaven Crusader caravan bearing Queensland registration 764QOD. Picture: Supplied.

The Caboolture couple believe the thieves intend on selling their 22-foot caravan.

“The price of caravans has skyrocketed since this epidemic,” Mr Roberts said.

“I would say I could’ve sold it for close to $40,000 I reckon.

“They went for the good van that they could sell … it’s got everything you need in there.

“We’ve lived in Caboolture for the past six years, the van has always been parked out the front of our house and we’ve never had any issues.”

Mr Roberts, who works for Multicap, a high needs disability support group, says they are devastated and angry.

“They’re scum, they don’t realise the consequences of their actions or they don’t care,” he said.

He’s hoping people can keep an eye out for their van and report any sightings to Queensland Police.

The vehicle was described as a dark coloured single cab 4WD with an aluminium tray and black rims towing a 2007 Dreamhaven Crusader caravan bearing Queensland registration 764QOD.