Deadbeat dad takes kid on stealing spree, spotted stealing tools from ute at Tumbi Umbi
A trusting tradesman who ducked in for a quick haircut has been ripped off in the worst possible way - and the whole thing was captured right outside on CCTV.
Central Coast
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Suddenly a new contender has emerged for the title of world’s worst dad with a bloke — known to police — going around stealing from vehicles with his kid in tow.
The man has been captured on CCTV stealing from a plumber’s ute and using his child as an accomplice.
Mark Wilson-Brown just ducked in for “a quick haircut” at Man Time Grooming and Barber Shop at Tumbi Umbi about 1pm on Saturday.
“It was my own fault, I never lock the tool boxes,” he said.
“I’m honest mate, I’ve never stolen anything in my life and just expect other people to be the same but I’ve learnt my lesson. I only popped in for a quick haircut at one o’clock on a Saturday afternoon ... and he’s got the front to do something like that.”
He went home and it was “raining all weekend” so it was only when he went to work on Monday morning that he discovered tools and about $2000 worth of Makita batteries were missing.
He first wondered if his son had come round to borrow them but when he re-traced his steps he remembered his haircut.
“I rang (owner) Anthony (King) and he said he’d check his cameras and within 10 minutes he’s called me back and said `I can see someone taking stuff out of your ute’,” Mr Wilson-Brown said.
He said his daughter rang the police but were initially told there was little they could do because the number plate on the offender’s ute is not visible and the footage is not clear enough of the man’s face.
However a Tuggerah Lakes Target Action Group officer told the Express Advocate they “already have a suspect from the description provided”.
“We have a recidivist offender,” he said.
“We’ve charged him with three (similar) offences.”
The officer said the man brings his child along and has been charged with stealing a softball kit out of the back of another ute on Geoffrey Rd before rifling through the contents in the car park of Mingara McDonalds.
Mr Wilson-Brown said while it was frustrating to replace the stolen items he was more concerned about the child.
“Imagine that kid when they’re 30 or 40, you wouldn't piss on them if they were on fire they’d be that bad with an upbringing like that,” he said.
Police are reviewing the footage and expect to charge the man with the offence of `steal from motor vehicle’.