Frazer Mitchell from Mount Peter shares tip on finding car

A stolen car victim has shared his $45 tip to finding his wheels. The advice comes as many other victims express frustration at not being able to get their cars back quickly or at all. FIND OUT WHAT IT IS

A STOLEN car victim has been on a rollercoaster ride since his vehicle was taken but there’s one thing he’s grateful for from the experience.

Frazer Mitchell, from Mount Peter, took a clever step of investing in an Apple AirTag to safeguard his belongings.

“I was asleep, it happened early morning. I went to take the kids to daycare and the stepdaughter asked where the car was,” he said.

“I looked on Apple AirTags and saw it was being towed.”

Mr Mitchell said it was a great investment.

Mt Peter resident Frazer Mitchell had his car stolen while he was sleeping. Picture: Emily Barker

“I don’t know where they ditched it. I had a little Apple AirTag in there and I could find where it was,” he said.

“They are $45, I have four of them, you can get four for $150, one is in my suitcase, one in my laptop bag, one in my car and wallet.”

The advice comes as many victims express their frustration and emotional turmoil at the slowness of finding and getting their cars.

Even though he was able to find his car quickly, Mr Mitchell said he had been concerned the thieves might still be able to get into the house.

“I said can you at least tell me if my house keys are in my car and they (the towing company) said they couldn’t,” he said.

“They said I had to get police forensics to release it, they wouldn’t even tell me if they were in there.”

Mt Peter resident Frazer Mitchell. Picture: Emily Barker

Mr Mitchell has since learned where the keys were from police but for a moment he thought he would have to change the locks.

He is still feeling the struggle, Mr Mitchell tried hiring a car but as Easter approaches he found it difficult.

“I tried everywhere, it’s school holidays and Easter,” he said.

“It’s probably the first holiday period with all the borders open so people are keen to travel. There’s no hire cars.”

Eventually he found one by telling people his story. Mr Mitchell loved his car but now feels that even if he gets it back it’s tainted.

“I don’t know what was done with it, I treated my car so nicely. It was the first car I ever bought brand new,” he said. “None are good options, if I repair it, it’s tainted, if they replace it it’s probably a 12 month wait.”

Mr Mitchell said there were now added costs.

“I have to pay the insurance excess ... even if the police identify the criminals, if the criminals are released, their details aren’t released and I have to pay the excess.”

Originally published as Frazer Mitchell from Mount Peter shares tip on finding car