Three cars stolen in four months: Now victim wants to fight back

A Cairns businesswoman who has had a car stolen for the third time is furious about young criminals and says residents need to fight back.

A CAIRNS businesswoman who spearheaded a campaign against crime after having two cars stolen from her business has again been robbed after thieves broke into her home and stole her own vehicle.

Whitfield resident Perri Conti said she is furious after thieves forced their way into her home between 3am and 6am on Sunday and stole keys to her 2017 Mercedes.

“They broke into our house, did the multiple grips on the door handle while we were asleep,” she said.

“They took my keys, stole my car and threw my stuff on to the road.”

In March Perri Conti organised a rally in front of Member for Cairns Michael Healy's office on Saturday attended by victim of crime Jo Borg who had her house ransacked and her brand new Mazda SUV stolen from her garage. On April 17 Ms Conti’s home was broken into while her family slept and her 2017 Mercedes stolen. Picture: Brendan Radke

Ms Conti said she wants politicians to stop talking and take action on the issue of youth crime

“Cairns residents need to step up and take their lives back and stop being bullied by these little criminals,” she said.

“I’ve had a gutful and it is time we made a stance and took our lives back.

“I don’t care about the car, it’s insured but I am sick of these little sh*ts and the politicians do nothing when people came into my home uninvited and stole my property.”

Ms Conti had created a petition demanding major crime reforms but said no state politicians had shown an interest in supporting her concerns.

“We have had 5,500 signatures,” she said.”

“I have had a gutful of this crap, it’s about time these kids and their parents took some responsibility.”

Ms Conti said the police “were very apologetic,” when she contacted them.

According to police, as of April 14, 55 vehicles were stolen in Cairns this month and 96 this year, while a total of 782 were stolen in 2021.

Originally published as Three cars stolen in four months: Now victim wants to fight back