October 22, 2019
Brazen thieves have stolen up to $60,000 worth of goods from the owners of the historic Stonehouse at Moore … taking everything from quad bikes and tools right down to soap and toothbrushes from the bathroom.
Owner John Eastwood told southburnett.com.au that he and his wife Loretta had travelled to the Gold Coast to help their daughter with their grandchildren last Tuesday.
When they got back home late on Friday night they found their home – which is located near the historic buildings – had been cleaned out.
The thieves had stolen items from the main house and two sheds.
Missing from the implement shed were three dirt bikes, two Pee Wee 50s and two quad bikes. All the helmets and riding gear were also stolen.
They also took all the tools and irrigation equipment from a garden shed, including equipment used by the Eastwoods to maintain their grapes.
But it is the thefts from the house that have stunned the family.
The thieves took the washing machine, refrigerator (and the food inside), two TVs, children’s toys and even the lounge suite.
“They helped themselves to the cutlery drawer and the crockery, taking whatever they wanted,” John said.
“They definitely were not in a rush.
“They took all the food in the place, a few beers and bottles of spirits.
“In the bathroom they took the soap and shampoo – and this is where it gets a bit weird – they even took some toothbrushes which were still in their packets.
“They left us with one roll of toilet paper, which was handy on Friday night.
“They took all the small electrical items, the kettle, toaster, microwave …”
John said that if they had to purchase everything again from new, it would probably set them back “a conservative” $40,000 and as much as $60,000.
He said he couldn’t praise the police response highly enough.
“The police have been absolutely excellent. They came straight out here,” he said.
“Forensics were out by 8:30am on Saturday, checking for fingerprints and taking swabs.”
The thieves left behind a khaki “Supreme” brand baseball cap which police have examined.
John said the support from the local community had also been fantastic.
He said a neighbour saw a white, older model 2WD ute – either a Toyota or Nissan – entering the property on Friday morning.
This ute was pulling a blue, single-axle box trailer.
The neighbour thought nothing of it, believing it was probably a tradesman coming to do some work on the property.
John believes the thieves probably made several trips in and out, using his own box trailer to remove items.
Anyone with information about the robbery should call Moore police on their new phone number, (07) 5495-0494 or Crime Stoppers on 1800-333-000.
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