Community group targeted by ‘heartless’ thieves

By Monique Preston

Jan 17, 2024

Targeted: Shepparton’s Riding for the Disabled facility has been broken into three times in two weeks recently. Photo by Simon Bingham

The Shepparton Riding for the Disabled facility has been targeted by thieves with three break-ins in two weeks.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

A near-new John Deere ride-on mower obtained with a community matching grant from Greater Shepparton City Council was among the items stolen from the Wanganui Rd facility.

The mower has since been recovered but was damaged.

A generator and whipper-snipper are still missing.

It’s not the only organisation in the Wanganui Rd precinct to have been hit by a spate of burglaries, that began just before Christmas, according to police.

Council’s Resource Recovery Centre and the Driver Education Centre of Australia have also been targeted, with mainly power tools stolen.

Shepparton Riding for the Disabled (RDA) secretary Cathy Hamilton said it was extremely sad and disappointing that thieves had targeted a not-for-profit community organisation helping Shepparton’s disabled community in such a heartless manner.

She said in the 45 years the RDA had been operating in Shepparton, this was their worst experience.

Security has since been beefed up at the Riding for the Disabled facility, with security cameras installed to help fend off any more break-ins.

Shepparton Crime Investigation Unit Detective Acting Sergeant Matt Clowes asked anyone who knew anything about the break-ins to contact police on 5820 5777 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au

He also urged people always to be vigilant and report anything suspicious to the police.