Redland Bay home targeted in alleged brazen motorcycle scam
Police have warned scams are on the rise as a young couple suffers thousands in losses to an alleged thief posing as a potential buyer of a motorcycle.
Redlands Coast
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A brazen motorcycle theft has left a bad taste in the mouths of a couple who only recently moved to their leafy bayside suburb in an attempt to escape creeping crime.
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Redland Bay residents Jessica Irvine and her partner Zak were left fuming yesterday when a man took Zak’s 2012 model Hyosung GT 650R motorcycle, registration 462 UN, for a test drive only to never return.
Caught wrong-footed alone at home with two small children Zak thought little of letting the man, with whom he had been communicating via Gumtree for two days, have a go around the block without taking his particulars.
Ms Irvine, owner of Sugarcoat Beauty salon in Capalaba, said the man even had the nous to negotiate for a slightly better price after an inspection of the vehicle.
Uninsured the circa $4,000 loss comes as a slap in the face for the couple who have called Redland Bay home for the last six months, after moving from Holland Park.
However, the ugly incident comes not as their first taste of alleged crime.
Ms Irvine said in the time they have resided in the picturesque suburb they have also had a wallet stolen out of a vehicle and suffered damage to a security grill in an attempted break-in at their Cane St residence.
Ms Irvine wanted to warn others to beware similar alleged offending and said they are aware of another Brisbane region resident who was approached by the man.
Officer in charge of Redland Bay Police Station Senior Sergeant Stephen Graham confirmed investigations into the alleged theft were ongoing and warned that scammers were more prolific during the pandemic.
“There hasn’t been any similar offending in Redland Bay but obviously since COVID-19 commenced there has been an increase in scams people have tried to facilitate on victims,” Sen Sgt Graham said.
“We have also had a spike in assaults in Redland Bay but reported property crime is still down from the last financial year.
“Redland Bay continues to have some of the lowest crime statistics in the South Brisbane district.
“However, there are things happening unfortunately, and so we urge residents to be vigilant and lock their homes and vehicles.”
The Senior Sergeant further urged residents to take particular care when communicating with others online when buying or selling items.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Policelink on 131 444.