Teens steal $10,000 of jewellery from craftsman’s caravan

A couple had set off around southwest Queensland in search of materials for their jewellery business when a trio of thieves made off with this precious cargo.

Thieves stole rings and pendants from a Sunshine Coast couple who had stopped over in Toowoomba on Sunday night.

A Sunshine Coast couple trekking through southwest Queensland to buy supplies for their jewellery business are out of pocket about $10,000 after opportunistic thieves hit during a pit stop in Toowoomba.

Sandy Hodges and her husband stopped in Centenary Heights to visit family on Sunday when three boys on pushbikes slipped into their caravan and stole two electric scooters, her handbag and wallet.

“We were inside and I saw one of the doors was open but by the time I got out there they had run off,” she said.

Thieves stole this pendant from a Sunshine Coast couple who had stopped over in Toowoomba on Sunday night.

The boys disappeared over a ridge on Alderley Street so Mrs Hodges followed after their escape route.

She found her handbag dumped by the roadside, along with the scooters.

“The contents of my wallet and the pouch with my jewellery was missing,” she said.

Thieves stole this ring from a caravan park on Alderley Street.

It contained four rings and two pendants made with Queensland opals set in stainless steel, made by Mrs Hodges husband and had an estimated retail value of $10,000.

“There is not a lot of gold that they can cash in but the opals are valuable,” Mrs Hodges said.

The couple took to social media, reported the matter to the police and phoned every pawn shop in the region in the hopes that the jewellery would turn up.

“The pieces are all unique,” Mrs Hodges said.

The jewellery has a combine value of about $10,000.

They also walked the streets and asked nearby residents if they had found the items or knew the thieves.

“My faith in human nature has been renewed because I have had help from absolute strangers,” Ms Hodges said.

“It could have been so much worse – they could have got away with our vehicles.”

If you see the jewellery, phone Policelink on 131 444 or Policelink on 1800 333 000.