Paradise Point man’s Xmas miracle as stolen presents are returned by cops

WHEN Larry Williamson woke to find his screen door jemmied open and all the presents gone he knew he needed a Christmas miracle.

Larry Williamson's house was broken into overnight and all his christmas presents were stolen along with other items and his car. Larry with Senior Sergean Murray Underwood from the Runaway Bay police station after the presents and his car were found by police. Picture: Jerad Williams

WHEN Larry Williamson woke to find his screen door jemmied open and all the presents gone, he knew he needed a Christmas miracle.

The Paradise Point grandfather had sat up late wrapping Christmas presents for his family only to wake a few hours later to find the living room ransacked.

The presents, his jewellery and his livlihood – a limousine sedan – were all gone.

Devastated, Mr Williamson called police who responded quickly and found the burglars hiding not far away.

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The pair had tried to escape by hiding in a nearby canal.

Larry Williamson's house was broken into and all his christmas presents were stolen along with other items and his car. Pictured: Larry with senior sergeant Murray Underwood from the Runaway Bay police station after the presents and his car were found by police. Picture: Jerad Williams

Police found the stolen limousine not long after, about 1km from Mr Williamson’s home on the Esplanade, with all his presents inside, still neatly wrapped.

Runaway Bay police officer-in-charge Senior Sergeant Murray Underwood said being able to return someone’s possessions was a perk of the job.

“Our officers were able to recover the stolen items after finding the offenders and the stolen car during patrols of the area,” he said.

“Break and enters are generally quite opportunistic but these guys went to great effort to get inside this house.

Larry Williamson is thankful he got his Christmas presents back. Picture: Jerad Williams

“The limousine, which is quite new and attractive, was likely the main motivation but they helped themselves to the presents while they were there.

“It is a great result to know that Larry has his presents back and his grandkids will have a smile on their faces.”

Mr Williamson said it was an awful feeling to know people had been inside his home.

“They jemmied my front door open to get inside,” he said.

“When I woke my bedroom door was ajar – they could have even walked past me as I slept.

“It’s the first time I have ever been broken into but to have my things returned and the crooks arrested so quickly was a huge relief.

“I wouldn’t have been able to afford to replace the presents and I would have been without a job.

“It is a good omen for this Christmas that’s for sure.”

A 21-year old man from Palm Beach and a 27-year-old man from Nerang are assisting police with inquiries.

Snr Sgt Underwood said the two men were facing charges of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, unlawful entry and trespass.

“The message to everyone this festive season is please, secure your homes,” he said.

“It might be warm at night and you might want to keep your windows open but it can be an invitation to thieves.”