Car stolen while being repaired

By Sarah Schwager
A CRANBOURNE single mum can no longer work because her car was stolen when it was being repaired at a mechanic.
Donna Appleton said she could not afford to pay the excess on her insurance and so could not do her job as a childcare worker and cook.
The 1996 EL Ford station wagon was being repaired at Advanced Transmissions in Cranbourne and was being paid for by Job Network so she could still get to work when it was stolen along with two other cars, numerous tools and specialised equipment on the night of 7 May.
The car was discovered two days later completely trashed, missing its wheels and number plates and her kids’ personal belongings that had been left in the car.
“Without the car I can’t survive. It was insured on my part but only for market value,” Ms Appleton said.
“The insurance company has put me through the wringer to get the excess out of me but it is not my fault, I didn’t leave the keys on the wall.”
The single mother of Jayden, 13, Liam, 10, and Lacey, eight, said she did not see why she had to pay for the car, which she bought nine years ago.
“If everyone did what’s right I wouldn’t be in this situation,” Ms Appleton said.
“For those thieves to take someone’s livelihood, it’s just wrong. We’ve had it really rough over the last year. I have just been trying to do the right thing and work for my living but now I can’t even do that.”
Advanced Transmissions owner Ray Doig said nothing had been recovered as yet and he was still finalising the insurance on everything.
Mr Doig said he sympathised with Ms Appleton’s situation.
“It is up to my insurance company what they do,” he said.
“She rung me and said someone’s got to be responsible.
“The robber is responsible. I know her situation, I’m in it too.
“There are a few things I’m going to do to try to help her out though.”
Mr Doig said the Arundel Street garage was still running at half capacity without most of their equipment.
“I’ve had to replace some things out of my own pocket to keep going. It’s been pretty tough for us too.
“Also, one of our workers just came out of hospital yesterday for a pretty bad operation, our apprentice is on half days, and my son (who also works at the workshop) injured his hand (on Tuesday).”
He said the robbery was still being investigated.
Ms Appleton said she wanted to make people aware to be careful when they left their car with someone and make sure there was nothing valuable in the car.
She suggested mechanics leave the keys of cars they were repairing in a safe.
Anyone with information about the burglary is urged to contact Detective Senior Constable Mick Van Hamond at Cranbourne CIU on 5991 0661.