Family's 'heartbreak' after stolen ute trashed in crime spree ends in generosity

A community's extraordinary act of kindness has saved a Cairns family thousands after their stolen ute was recovered from joy-riding thieves.

Deborah Wilkinson had her Ford Ranger utility damaged when it was stolen from a client's home in Mooroobool and taken on a joy ride across Cairns. Local automotive business have supported the Gordonvale mother by providing thousands of dollars worth of repairs to her vehicle for free. Picture: Brendan Radke

A stolen ute trashed and treated like a “rally car” by thieves has been fully repaired for free thanks to the generosity of strangers.

Deborah Wilkinson was asleep in her Cairns home when robbers stole the keys to her Ford Ranger and went on a multi day crime spree.

The white ute was filmed across Edmonton, Redlynch and surrounding suburbs hooning, doing burnouts and was believed to be involved in at least seven alleged break ins.

Ms Wilkinson said it was devastating to watch her car involved in so much damage.

“Seeing the videos of it and we couldn't do anything about it, was the worst part,” she said.

“I was heartbroken.”

The car was eventually found last Tuesday stashed at an Earlville apartment block.

Son Joshua Wilkinson said the car was “thrashed”.

“They pretty much melted the rear tyres, they stuffed the front tyres, they broke one of the ball joints in the front end, the side mirror was broken,” he said.

“They thrashed it, and treated it like a rally car.”

The damages were estimated to be more than $4000 but a lapse in insurance payments meant the family were out of pocket.

Mr Wilkinson said the family simply couldn’t afford the bills.

The final repairs for Deborah Wilkinson’s Ford Ranger were finished on Friday, she said the generosity of the Cairns community was overwhelming. Picture: Brendan Radke

“Mum and Dad went to do the insurance sort of things and that’s when they found out the insurance had lapsed,” he said.

“Mum worked 19 nights straight and Dad had been to Brisbane twice and just recently had surgery.

“With everything going on, they just did not have the money to cover it and neither did I.”

After reaching out on Facebook the family received an outpouring of support.

Jax Tyres and Auto Store manager Evan Billerwell said his team threw up their hands.

“We spotted it and thought this isn’t good enough. Someone needs to help these people,” he said.

“It originally started as a bit of a look, fix the tyres and give it a full check over then it just sort of snowballed from there.

Jax Tyres and Auto store manager Evan Billerwell hands back the keys to Deborah Wilkinson after donating four brand new tyres, replacing a ball joint and giving Deb's ute a major service, all free of charge. Picture: Brendan Radke

“I contacted my suppliers and … and everyone just sort of went, yep, I’ll be a part of this.”

Before long North Queensland Crash, Mister Minit as well as tyre and parts suppliers and a detailer pitched in to help.

Despite no arrests being made yet, Ms Wilkinson took back her keys on Monday.

“Knowing that my car was getting fixed and that I would get my car back was such a relief,” she said.

“Everyone that got involved needs to be thanked, my heart goes out to everyone.

“It was just unbelievable the kindness of all these people.”

Originally published as Family's 'heartbreak' after stolen ute trashed in crime spree ends in generosity