By Mitchell Clarke
A gutless garden thief has been caught on camera breaching curfew and stealing from an Officer front yard.
The Maclang family were fast asleep at 4am on Wednesday 12 August, when the opportunistic plant pincher allegedly helped herself to about eight plants before driving off.
CCTV footage captured the woman – who appeared to be in her late 20s or early 30s – trawling through the neat garden bed in search of some pots and plants.
For Victoria Maclang, her garden had provided a sense of accomplishment and joy amid the Covid-19 shutdown.
“With the lockdown ongoing, gardening is one of the few things that keeps me busy. It’s so disappointing seeing people steal during this difficult time,” she said.
“This is heartbreaking, this is my pride and joy. It’s so unfair and unjust when we spend our money and time to grow and take care of them.”
It wasn’t until the next morning she realised that an unwanted visitor had raided her garden.
Daughter Jamie Anne said it was shocking to watch someone so brazenly make off with another person’s belongings.
“We were speechless that someone would actually do that and breach curfew, it’s actually crazy,” she said.
“Unfortunately we all slept right through the entire thing. We didn’t think that anyone would do something like this.”
The cruel act certainly hasn’t deterred Victoria from getting back into the garden.
“My mum has been gardening for two years and all she’s ever wanted is for people to look at our house and think ‘what a beautiful garden’,” Jamie Anne said.
“She’s definitely going to continue gardening, but she might put the plants in the ground, and leave the precious ones in the pots closer to the house.”
The incident was swiftly reported to police but the family hope someone might recognise the shonky green thumb, or the car she was travelling in.
“Karma is going to come and get her, so I just want to let karma do it’s thing,” Jamie Anne added.
“She’s definitely going to get more than she came for.”
