By Rowan Forster
A PAKENHAM arson victim has demanded a crackdown on deliberately-lit fires after his truck was added to a growing tally of vandalism.
Antonio Lolesiopua discovered his vehicle – containing more than $4,000 worth of valuable band equipment – had been gutted by fire and dumped in Endeavour Hills on Tuesday.
He described it as a “devastating blow”, especially just after the Easter weekend.
“Unfortunately, theft and robbery is getting worse,” he said.
“Something needs to be done because it’s happening more and more it seems.
“They did their homework and once they knew the truck was loaded and unattended just for a moment they made their move.”
He has pleaded with the culprits to return his equipment, which was missing from the wreckage. “Both we and the police feel they have stored the stuff in a garage as it was massive speakers, drum sets, keyboards and even four PA systems,” he said.
“That equipment can only be removed from the truck by four or more people, so this had to have been a group effort.”
It was the second motor vehicle theft for Mr Lolesiopua’s family, after his sister’s car was stolen from Dandenong in 2016.
“Luckily she had her iPad in her bag which was in the car, allowing the police to locate it with the Find My Phone app,” he said.
It comes just days after a burning car was dumped beside Devon Road, startling passing motorists.
Officer-based Ultratune mechanic Jon Sinclair said he has seen an influx of motorists with GPS trackers installed in their vehicles.
“A car is often the most valuable thing somebody can own – aside from a house,” he said.
“It makes sense that people would take the extra precaution.”
However, according to the latest figures released by Crime Statistics Agency Victoria, deliberately-lit fires in Cardinia have dropped by more than half in the last two years.
The Local Government Area saw a decrease in offences committed from 111 in 2016, to 55 in 2017.
Police confirmed the theft had taken place and have asked anybody with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
