Heathmont: Mitch Claxton, 14 devastated after thieves take BMX bikes from shed on birthday
A Heathmont teen who is one of Victoria’s best mountain bike riders woke up on his birthday to find thieves had stolen his most precious possessions.
Outer East
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A Heathmont teenager has suffered a cruel blow after waking up on his birthday to find his two much-loved racing bikes stolen from his home.
Mitch Claxton, 14, who competes in the Victorian junior mountain biking championships, had the bikes stolen overnight on November 27 from the garage at his family’s Alvena Cresent home.
The theft has put a major dent in Mitch’s racing campaign, with the teen now forced to use one of his coach’s old bikes at an event in Forrest in two weeks time.
“At first I thought it was a joke, then I realised they (his parents) were being serious,” he said.
“I was really shocked to be honest, at the moment there’s a massive bike shortage, so we can’t really get a new bike.
“Bike riding is my main hobby, I just love it and I’m super passionate about it.”
The bikes, a red Focus Jam and a black Norco Revolver, are valued at about $5000 each.
Mitch spent his birthday searching nearby parks and along railway tracks and creeks for the bikes with help from his friends.
Members of the Meanwhile In Heathmont Facebook page also offered their support.
Julie Middleton wrote: “These low lifes make me sick! So sad for your boy, hope something good happens for him.”
Mitch’s mother, Kate, said the theft was devastating for her son, who was “very lost” without his bikes.
Ms Claxton said she was trying to obtain CCTV footage of the incident from the family’s cameras.
“It’s really hit him hard, he doesn’t have something that brings him so much joy and freedom and a sense of achievement,” she said
”We work hard to pay for his bike racing and support him in what he wants to do.
“To do this to a 14-year-old kid who just wants to ride, it angers me and it baffles me.”
Ringwood police Sergeant Jarrod Exton said he had no information on the incident despite Ms Claxton saying she reported it to police.
Maroondah crime investigation unit detectives were contacted for comment.
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