Children in tears as thieves take bikes (From Kidderminster Shuttle)
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Children in tears as thieves take bikes
8:41am Thursday 10th January 2013 in News
Stolen: Max Lewis’ orange and black KTM 50 motocross bike which was taken from a garage in Stourport.
THIEVES in Stourport have left two children “heartbroken” after three child-sized motorbikes and a pit bike were stolen from a garage.
Siblings 10-year-old Elle and eight-year-old Max Lewis were looking forward to starting the motocross season on Sunday but their customised bikes were stolen from a family friend’s property in Wilden Lane last Friday.
Their mother, Justine Lewis, of Stourport, said: “The bikes were being stored at Andrew Willetts’ house, a friend of ours who is the kids’ mechanic. They hadn’t been ridden for three months and were being worked on ready for the new season.”
The bikes stolen were an orange and black KTM 50 Auto, an orange and black KTM 65, a red and silver Honda CRF100 and a 110 pit bike in black and green.
Mrs Lewis, a teaching assistant, added: “Max had only got the KTM 65 for his birthday in September.
“He’s been riding since he was six.
He eats, sleeps and breathes motocross and always makes a bike track in his mashed potato.
“Elle has been riding for a year or so. She’s always been with us every weekend at the events and has started to get into it. They are heartbroken.”
Mr Willetts discovered the bikes were missing at about 8am on Friday morning after he spotted a mountain bike lying on his lawn.
He found there had been forced entry into his garage and thieves had pulled the alarm system from the wall.
The KTM 50 had no seat and no exhaust as work was being done to the bike.
The motorbikes were also customised with stickers and had the children’s names on them.
Mrs Lewis, 39, added: “They weren’t insured. We could have sorted out a replacement for one but not three.
“With all the additions they are probably worth about £8,000.
“My daughter keeps coming up to me and asks ‘have they found them yet?’ and ‘can we ride this weekend?’ and then cries when I tell her she can’t.
“It’s also affected Andrew’s elderly parents, who he lives with. They can’t sleep as they are worried the thieves will come back.”
West Mercia Police are appealing for witnesses and anyone with information should call 0300 333 3000, contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111 or ring Ray Lewis on 07773 696 695.
