Alleged thieves target PCYC Edmonton cars in second break-in
For a second time police allege cars used by disadvantaged learner drivers have been stolen as fed up south side residents take the law into their own hands and illegally express frustration.
Cairns
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FOR a second time in a week police allege cars used by disadvantaged learner drivers have been stolen from Edmonton.
It comes as a fed-up south side resident turned to vandalism in order to make a point about the crime menace.
Car thieves have allegedly hit the Edmonton PCYC for the second time in six days in a heartless act to rip off vehicles used by learners taking part in the Braking the Cycle program.
Police are investigating an unlawful entry and theft of two vehicles from the Edmonton PCYC on the night of September 7.
One car was located crashed at the entrance to the PCYC car park, police allege and the second vehicle was recovered a short time later.
During an alleged break-in five days later, on September 12, thieves struck to steal one of the cars again.
This car was recovered on Wednesday, dumped at Loretta Av in Woree.
Police said vehicles used by the Braking the Cycle program have now been secured in a different location.
The cars are used by a driver mentor program pioneered by the PCYC to support learner drivers without access to a driving instructor or registered vehicle to complete their logbook hours.
PCYC Braking the Cycle volunteer Des Hansson was frustrated that offenders behind the alleged theft were the very people the program was set-up to help.
“The Brake the Cycle car that is the force of my anger. They recovered the car but they stole the keys, so who knows how long it’s going to be to get the car back,” he said.
“The volunteers are devastated and it was a good way to give something back to society. They want to support the community but the community they are trying to support is kicking us in the guts.”
A total of 66 stolen cars have been stolen this month, according to the latest police data.
A running total since January 1 now accounts for staggering 928 vehicle rip offs in the Cairns area.
In an act of desperation last week Mulgrave MP Curtis Pitt’s office was targeted by a protester who clearly has had enough.
“Enough is enough. Fix youth crime,” the spray painted lettering read.
Mr Pitt declined to comment when contacted by the Cairns Post.
A 25-year veteran of the NSW and Queensland Police Service, Mr Hansson said the actions of alleged teen car thieves now would impact Cairns society for years to come.
“The juvenile justice act is not working. It’s creating a cohort of criminals that will take their nefarious behaviour into adulthood,” he said.
“These kids are getting in accidents, people have died and the government seemingly does not care about the concerns from the community.”
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Originally published as Alleged thieves target PCYC Edmonton cars in second break-in
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