Two retiring police officers on the Aussie caravan road trip of a lifetime have had their adventure come to an abrupt end after their car was stolen by youths as they slept.
The Melbourne couple were en route to Cape York in far north Queensland when they stopped for the night in Townsville. staying at Discovery Park in nearby Wulguru.
The couple were fast asleep in their caravan at around 4am on Sunday when youths broke in and stole their Haval H9 Ultra Wagon.
It’s yet to be recovered by police, despite the owners claiming they’ve spotted their vehicle driving past the caravan park several times.
To make matters worse, the couple have also been taunted online after the alleged thieves posed for photos with their vehicle and shared on social media.
A group of Townsville youths have taunted an interstate couple online by posing for a photo with their stolen Haval H9 Ultra Wagon
‘My big Haval,’ one of the boys captioned the photo.
‘Not bad watcha (sic) reckon.’
The desperate couple tried to take matters into their hands and have spent the last three days driving around trying to find their vehicle as Townsville’s youth crime crisis worsens.
‘It’s such a violation. It’s like being raped,’ the husband told the Townsville Bulletin.
They were told by local police their Haval was one of 15 cars stolen that day.
‘It a massive, massive issue up here, and I think the police are more frustrated than what we are because they’re doing all they can,’ they added.
Unable to find a hire car to continue their trip, the shattered couple are now waiting for a friend to make the 2500km drive from Melbourne so they can return home with their caravan.
The interstate police officers’ caravan road trip has ended early after their Haval H9 Ultra Wagon (pictured) was allegedly stolen
What was meant to be a three-and-half month long road trip across Australia has ended six weeks in.
The couple have vowed to never return.
‘Townsville’s such a beautiful place, but the crime ruins it,’ the husband said.
‘We knew crime was bad here, but we never thought this would happen.’
Police investigations into the theft continue.
Townville police recently charged 21 people with 79 offences within a week, as part of Operation Victor Fastback, an ongoing taskforce targeting stolen vehicles.
The couple were staying at Discovery Park in Wulguru (pictured) when youths allegedly broken into their caravan and stole their vehicle
All but five of those charged were juveniles.
Police insist they’re doing everything they can to arrest and charge offenders.
‘Townsville Property Crime Unit police are responding to these incidents, when and where they’re happening,’ Detective Inspector Jason Shephard said
’21 offenders and 79 charges just in one week. It’s clear that we’re actively policing this issue.
‘If you see suspicious activity in your area, call police and make a report. The more we know, the more we can do to help.’
Source: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk