How on earth did thieves steal more than 25 tonnes of sandstone slabs at the weekend?
That’s the question being asked by residents and Lake Macquarie City Council following the heavyweight heist from the side of one of the LGA’s busiest roads.
It’s understood the audacious bandits made off with 23 huge blocks, each weighing about 1.1 tonnes, from The Esplanade at Speers Point.
Now, council is seeking public assistance to track down the criminals.
The rectangular slabs, measuring 2m by 50cm, were installed in July to prevent parking alongside the road near the Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility.
Lake Macquarie’s manager assets Dayne Harris said it would have taken a team of people, equipped with at least one truck and lifting equipment, to remove so many blocks.
“It’s an incredibly brazen robbery,” he stated.
“This is right beside The Esplanade, which is a relatively busy road right around the clock.
“Chances are that with so many slabs, they would have either needed more than one truck or would have had to make multiple trips there and back to steal them and unload them elsewhere.”
Mr Harris explained the cost to replace and reinstall them was about $10,000.
“Hopefully, someone has seen them in action or maybe has dashcam footage of the theft taking place,” he said.
Work is underway to obtain replacement blocks.
In the meantime, temporary water-filled barriers will be placed along the stretch where the stolen slabs were installed to restrict access.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.
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