By Bruce Wardley
A WONTHAGGI woman suffering from the rare degenerative disease called Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM) has had two cars stolen from her driveway, one vehicle twice, in the same weekend.
But what makes this latest incident in a long line of carjacking, aggravated burglaries and car thefts locally such an unspeakably low act is that the mongrels involved stole her wheelchair accessible
Kia Carnival and the light-frame wheelchair that went with it. For good measure, they also stole her wheelie walker.
Carol Dennis has been dependent on a wheelchair for mobility since being diagnosed, at age 40, with the muscle wasting disease IBM.
However, while she slept on Friday night, November 8, the thieves gained entry to the house, stole her handbag and car keys, and made off with the Kia Carnival and a Nissan Pathfinder owned by resident carer Chris Raine.
“I heard and saw nothing,” said Carol.
Carol said she awoke on Saturday morning to find her handbag, two sets of car keys and both cars gone.
“Chris, the cars are gone,” Carol yelled out.
Police found the Pathfinder at Dalyston on Saturday and Chris was able to retrieve it.
But on Saturday night, the brazen thieves stole the Pathfinder again, using keys stolen the night before, according to Chris. Dumping it in Leongatha.
Carol’s black Kia van is yet to be found.
“They used both my fuel cards at Cranbourne and Lang Lang,” she said.
“We hope someone has CCTV footage that can help identify the culprits,” said Chris.
The wheelchair modifications to the KIA van are not covered by insurance.
“The modifications alone cost $20,000,” said Carol.
“How can someone on a disability pension afford that?
“I don’t know how I’m going to find the money.”
Chris Raine said he heard voices on Saturday night and some revving of a car engine, but assumed it was neighbours.
“I thought nothing of it,” said Chris.
Carol heard the thieves Saturday night too, but they were gone before police could be called. Carol’s remaining wheelchair is too heavy to be transported.
“Maxi-taxis are not always available,”
explained Carol.
Chris’ first priority is to pick up the Pathfinder again.
“The Pathfinder’s been fingerprinted by police,” said Chris.
The culprits still have Carol’s house keys.
“I need to change the locks,” said Carol. “Another expense.”
“It’s unusual for this area. It’s usually so quiet,” said Chris.
Chris warns other householders to make sure they lock their doors and windows.
“Quiet neighbourhoods give you a false sense of security,” said Chris.
“We’ve never had this sort of problem before.
“It can happen anywhere, anytime,” he warns.
Thanking police, Carol and Chris said they were deeply appreciative for their work.
“They took the time to look after us,” Carol said.
“They found my Pathfinder twice in two days,” said Chris.
There is no cure for Inclusion Body Myositis with Carol explaining her father also had the disease.
“I’m always fearful there will be something I can do today that I won’t be able to do tomorrow,” said Carol, adding she finds herself walking less and less. “Is this the last year I’ll be able to walk on
the beach?”
Another car stolen
The burglary in Wonthaggi follows a third car stolen on Saturday night in Cape Paterson, a white Subaru Outback wagon yet to be recovered.
Meanwhile, the theft of a laptop and charging device in a burglary in Wonthaggi overnight, between Thursday, November 7 and Friday, November 8 has left other community members rattled. The stolen items have since been recovered and the two offenders captured on CCTV but they remain on the loose.
Anyone with information, CCTV or dash cam footage in the vicinity of Miners Drive last Friday and Saturday is urged to contact Bass Coast Criminal Investigation Unit on 5671 4100 or
Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000 or anonymously at crimestoppersvic.com.au/report-a-crime.