An East Maitland family says they no longer feel safe in their own home after a motorbike was allegedly stolen from their property, as police continue to crackdown on offenders.
Jazmin Williams said her 17-year-old son was “shattered” after discovering his Kawasaki KLR650 had been stolen overnight during heavy rain on 27 May.
“When he realised the bike was gone, it wasn’t anger at first – it was disbelief,” she explained.
“Then it hit him like a punch to the chest.
“He’d worked so hard for something that could be taken in seconds… and you could see the devastation on his face.”
The bike was allegedly taken from the family’s East Maitland home near the local pool.
For the teenager, a first-year apprentice, the motorbike was far more than a vehicle.
“It was more than transport,” Ms Williams said.
“It was independence, pride and proof that hard work pays off.
“It was the first thing he ever bought entirely on his own – no handouts, no shortcuts.”
Ms Williams said her son spent more than a year saving for the bike, putting aside money from his apprentice wages while missing out on typical teenage activities.
“For a 16/17-year-old kid to be more concerned with paying insurance premiums and rego rather than living his best life with his mates and getting up to mischief – that’s commitment, right?” she stated.
The theft has also created challenges for the family, with the teenager now relying on lifts to get to work.
She said the incident had shaken their sense of security, too.
“Knowing someone came onto our property, in the dark and in heavy rain, to do something so brazen, makes you wonder how long they were watching,” she told the Newcastle Weekly.
“We’ve already been talking about selling and leaving the area – guess this just made our decision for us.”
Ms Williams said vehicle theft had become increasingly common in the area.
“Cars around us are stolen every week,” she added.
The family’s experience comes as police continue targeting dangerous riding and stolen motorcycles across the region.
In a post on the NSW Police Traffic and Highway Patrol Command Facebook page, officers detailed the arrest of a 22-year-old man following an alleged pursuit in Beresfield on 26 May.
They attempted to stop an orange KTM Duke 200 motorcycle travelling without number plates on Beresford Drive about 8.38am.
The rider allegedly failed to stop before entering the Newcastle Memorial Park carpark, where police say he abandoned the bike and attempted to flee on foot.
Checks allegedly revealed the vehicle had been reported stolen since September last year.
The man was charged with multiple offences including police pursuit, driving dangerously, driving a conveyance taken without consent and unlicensed driving.
He was refused bail.
Ms Williams believes stolen bikes and reckless riding were becoming more common across the Hunter.
“Bikes are being stolen more frequently, and offenders seem bolder,” she said.
“The consequences just aren’t strong enough to deter anyone.”
Despite support from the community, Ms Williams said families were often left feeling powerless.
“Of course we want the bike back,” she said.
“But, more than that, we want accountability – real accountability.
“We want broader action so hardworking young people aren’t constantly paying the price for other people’s choices.”
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