Left: Leigh Eckersall was devastated to return from work recently to find his motorbike had been stolen from the garage of his family’s Pakenham home. Thieves used bolt cutters to cut through heavy duty chains and a padlock. By Paul Dunlop
A PAKENHAM man is devastated by the theft of a motorbike that was his pride and joy.
Leigh Eckersall returned from work recently to find his motorbike — a Yamaha YZ250 WR Enduro — had been stolen from the garage of his family’s Meeking Drive home.
Thieves used bolt cutters to cut through heavy duty chains and a padlock to steal the blue-coloured bike which 21-year-old Leigh had owned for just over 12 months.
A chainsaw and other items were also stolen from the property, but Leigh’s mum Trish said it was the loss of the bike that hurt most.
“My son bought the bike new in mid-2004 and enjoyed riding the tracks around Emerald and Werribee with his uncle as often as possible,” Mrs Oliver said.
“He took out a hefty loan to pay for the bike and worked extra hours to cope with his commitment.
“We are a close-knit, loving family and this has devastated us all. It’s so hard to watch your children suffer by someone else’s hand and not be able to make it right.”
Mrs Oliver said the family was prepared to offer a substantial reward for information leading to the bike’s return.
Pakenham Police are also investigating the theft.
Mrs Oliver said the theft of the bike came just as Leigh was getting his life back on track after losing his licence for six months for drink driving.
His bike had stood in the garage during that time and Leigh had been relishing his renewed ability to go riding when it was stolen.
“He had got his licence back and things were looking up, he was settled into a good job working in our family engineering business,” she said.
Mrs Oliver said whoever took the bike had come prepared.
She said it was terrible to think that something her son had worked so hard for had been so cruelly taken away from him.
“We have worked hard for the things we have, like most families,” Mrs Oliver said.
“We are just hoping that maybe somebody saw something unusual at the time the bike was taken or knows of someone who curiously now has a motorbike.”
Mrs Oliver said it was believed the theft took place two weeks ago between 10pm on the Tuesday and 5.30pm on Wednesday.
Any information can be passed to Sergeant Phil Jury at Pakenham Police on 5941 1033.
