WHEN Shanice Green and Brad Walton’s stolen car was found they thought their luck had changed – until they discovered they had to transport the car 400 kilometres home.
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The pair’s Holden Barina was stolen from Tatlock Street, Horsham, between Tuesday night and Monday morning last week and found across state lines at Mount Barker in South Australia.
A 17-year-old Horsham boy was arrested by South Australia police on Friday.
After a week of relying on friends and walking to work, Ms Green and Mr Walton set out on the 800-kilometre round trip on Tuesday to discover the condition of the car they are still paying off.
Police told the couple the gearbox and clutch would need replacing but the full extent of the damage was unable to be assessed as the offender lost the key.
“Obviously we’re not super keen on having to go pick it up,” Mr Walton said.
“I feel as though it should have been put on a tow truck and brought to us and the offenders foot the bill, not for it to come out of our time and money. We both had to take a day off work, mine being unpaid.”
Ms Green’s sister set up an online fundraiser to support the couple, but even with the $1000 goal exceeded the couple predicted they would be out of pocket.
Mr Walton said the community support had been fantastic as they battled through a tough time.
“We are in a bit of a slump at the moment,” he said.
“We feel a bit like a charity case, which can be quite embarrassing.
“But putting personal feelings aside, it will help tremendously and we’re extremely grateful.
“We’ve had to lean on friends and family more than we would like, borrowing cars and getting lifts to and from work when we can.”
Mr Walton said he was hopeful the offender would have to pay repair costs but was doubtful they could, because they were underage.
“I hope they actually get punished and don’t slip through the cracks like these kids always seem to – they’re old enough to know what they’re doing is wrong and how it affects people.”