Shocking footage has captured the moment an elderly couple’s Toyota Camry was allegedly stolen while they dropped their dog to the groomers.
The brazen act occurred at a car park outside a string of shops at Balaka Place, in Bundoora in Melbourne‘s north-east, about 2pm on Tuesday.
CCTV footage showed the elderly couple getting out of their silver Toyota Camry with their dog as a man wearing a blue t-shirt and a backpack walked past.
The unsuspecting couple, who left the car unlocked and the engine running, then made their way into the groomers.
Seconds later, the alleged thief is seen returning to the parked car, getting into the driver’s seat, reversing and driving away.
3AW Drive presenter Jacqui Felgate revealed on Wednesday the elderly couple were her parents as she shared the footage on Instagram.
‘Elderly couple can’t even drop the dog off without having their car [allegedly] stolen in broad daylight,’ Ms Felgate wrote.
‘The stolen vehicle is a silver 2007 Toyota Camry with the registration number WBY940. If you possess any information regarding the [allegedly] stolen vehicle or the individuals responsible, please report to police.’
Footage from a CCTV camera showed the elderly couple getting out of the silver Toyota Camry while a man wearing a backpack walked past (pictured)
Ms Felgate said she was heartbroken by the alleged theft and said her parents are ‘wonderful’ and ‘generous’ people.
‘It was such a hot day and they were just running in to the shop quickly when this happened. We’re appealing for any knowledge on the incident or if the person could be identified,’ she wrote.
Aussies were quick to share their outrage over the incident.
‘This is absolutely disgusting. It has to stop,’ one person wrote.
‘My heart goes out to this elderly couple,’ another said.
‘Hope they find the car,’ a third added.
Others called for tougher laws to prevent similar incidents and to protect vulnerable people.
‘We need to get tougher on crime. What makes people think that they can, just take things that don’t belong to them,’ one person wrote.
The alleged thief is seen getting into the Toyota Camry and driving away (pictured)
‘He knew they were elderly when he walked past them. What is wrong with people?’ another said.
But others said the couple should have been more careful and locked the car.
‘Forgot to lock [the] car and take key out. So sad but there own fault,’ one person wrote.
‘Doesn’t matter where you are or how long you are there for. Take your belongings and lock your car,’ another person wrote.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Victoria Police for comment.
