80-year-old upset by theft of car's wheels

Alwyn Isaacs' grocery trip was over before it began on Saturday, after she discovered thieves had stolen all four of her car's wheels and tyres. Photo: Gerard O'Brien.
Alwyn Isaacs' grocery trip was over before it began on Saturday, after she discovered thieves had stolen all four of her car's wheels and tyres. Photo: Gerard O'Brien.
An elderly Dunedin pensioner left without wheels after thieves targeted her car is urging those responsible to do the right thing.

Alwyn Isaacs (80) was heading out for a spot of grocery shopping on Saturday morning when she noticed her red Mazda 2, parked in Middleton Rd, was missing all four wheels and tyres.

Her car had been jacked up the previous night, the wheels removed and the vehicle left resting on concrete blocks - all within a few metres of Mrs Isaac's front door.

The incident upset Mrs Isaacs, who is on crutches while waiting for a hip replacement, although she was reluctant to tell the Otago Daily Times exactly what she thought of those responsible.

''It's not recordable. I was very annoyed. Very, very annoyed,'' she said.

So, too, was Mrs Isaacs' neighbour, Mavis Pere, who had helped Mrs Isaacs buy the car and was shocked to see it on Saturday.

Mrs Isaacs had been ''really upset'' when she discovered the missing wheels, Mrs Pere said.

''She kept saying 'Why me? Why me?'''

Police had visited and taken fingerprints. A spokesman said yesterday the investigation was ongoing.

In the meantime, Mrs Pere had also posted pictures online in an effort to find out who was responsible, and messages of support had flooded in.

The messages included one from Midway Motors managing director Chris Henderson, of Dunedin, offering Mrs Isaacs a new set of wheels and tyres.

Mr Henderson, contacted yesterday, said he just wanted to help.

''As we get older these little things stress us ... that's why I offered to help. It just seemed the right thing to do.''

Mrs Isaacs said it was the third time she had faced car trouble in recent years, after a previous vehicle had its back windows smashed in and was later written off after being hit by another car's trailer.

Her Mazda 2 was insured, but with an excess that meant she would be out of pocket from any claim.

She would accept Mr Henderson's offer, and said she was ''very grateful'' for other messages of support, but hoped whoever took her wheels would return them.

Mrs Pere agreed, but said those responsible were ''scumbags, obviously''.

chris.morris@odt.co.nz

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