The thief who stole Christmas in Warwick

Warwick boy, 5, left heartbroken after dream present is snatched from his front yard just hours after he received it.

DEVASTATED: Five-year-old Saxson Warner and his dad, Jarryd, were targeted by thieves on Christmas Day. Picture: Sean Teuma

WHEN he woke up on Christmas morning to the gift he'd been dreaming of, Saxson Warner couldn't have guessed his five-year-old heart would be broken, and his present stolen, just hours later.

A Christmas Day bandit turned the happiest day of the year into one of anguish for a Warwick family.

Saxson had his new toy truck stolen from his front yard in a shocking daylight theft.

The Warwick boy was elated to receive the toy on Monday, and tested it out with his brother Zac and sister Tanayah, who received similar trucks, in the front yard of their O'Brien St house.

Father Jarryd said when the youngsters headed inside for breakfast, an opportunistic thief struck.

"We were all out the front at about 8.30am, and the kids were playing with their new toys," father Jarryd Warner said.

"They were starting to go a bit flat after 45 minutes, so we went inside to have breakfast and put them on charge.

"Saxson left his behind in the driveway, but when we went back out to get it, it wasn't there.

"We were inside for no longer than 15 minutes. I asked him if he was sure he left it on the front yard.

"We checked the backyard and the neighbour's place, but we couldn't find it."

After young Saxson realised it was gone, the impact of the moment hit him.

"He was pretty miserable. He cried for a while," he said.

"Both Zac and Tanayah had theirs. It ruined his day.

"Being a single dad of three, you try and give your kids a good Christmas, and then this happens to you.

"It's very important to me to try and make my kids happy over Christmas.

"It was tough seeing him upset."

The truck stolen from the Warner property in O'Brien St. Picture: Contributed

Saxson had his eye on the toy truck for a while, and Jarryd said it was upsetting to see his son crushed.

"Saxson had been asking for the truck for a couple of months," he said.

"I had it on lay-by for him, and put it off for him to have on Christmas.

Mr Warner said he didn't know why someone would take the truck and hoped whoever took it would see sense.

"We still have the charger for the truck, so it is of no use to them," he said.

"We didn't hear any cars drive past or people in the front yard.

". It's a low act."

Mr Warner didn't have a vindictive message for the person responsible for taking his son's prized possession, instead making a simple request.

"We just want it back, no questions asked. It would make Saxson very happy," he said.

"If they want to put it on our front door or anywhere else they can."

Originally published as The thief who stole Christmas in Warwick