By Abbey Cannan
A Tewantin resident is warning other locals to keep an eye on their plants after catching a thief ripping his expensive trees out of the ground.
Primary school teacher Sean Browne spotted the robbery on his outdoor security camera in the early hours of Wednesday 17 March.
“My ’Ring’ outdoor security camera captured a bloke in what appeared to be a white or silver Ford Ranger taking 80 per cent of my Frangipani trees,“ he said.
“This exact same crime happened to me in January 2020 where a vehicle of the same description was captured by neighbours on camera.“
On that occasion the Frangipani thief ripped two $300 trees entirely out of the ground.
“He is driving an expensive vehicle. I am certain if he is stealing my plants he would be responsible for other horticulture crimes in Noosa area,“ Sean said.
“Possibly a landscaper, or reselling at markets. These are Plumeria Obtusa (Evergeeen Grangipani) that are more expensive because they don’t lose their leaves in winter. It is somebody who knows what they are doing.
“Of course I want this footage shared as widely as possible as I feel it would assist Queensland Police in investigating the matter.“
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.
