Two Busselton teenagers were left devastated after their mountain bikes were stolen between 4pm and 5pm on Saturday afternoon ahead of a competition event this weekend.
Sam Jones and Cory Bottica said they had rode into town and forgot their bike locks, so looked for a safe place to hide them.
They then went into a shop on the Bussell Highway to ask if they could store their bikes on their premises and were told they could keep their bikes out the back.
Sam said they hid their bikes between a shed and the building, and covered them with a stack of crates to make the bikes less visible.
Sadly, when the boys returned an hour later the bikes were gone.
“We just felt sick when we realised they were gone, it did not feel like it was real, we had spent so much money on the bikes and had been practicing for a mountain bike race this weekend,” Cory said.
The boys had trained throughout the summer to take part in the WA Gravity Enduro Competition in Manjimup this weekend.
Unfortunately, their dreams have been squashed as someone went out of their way to take the bikes while they were doing some things around town.
Both the boys had been working and saving their money for their own bikes, one of which was Sam’s brother, who had lent him his bike until he could afford his own.
“My brother worked hard for the bike back in the day when he was into mountain biking, he finally passed it onto me so I could practice and ride something decent.
“I probably won’t be able to compete for a while now, I will have to try and fix up old bikes so I can make myself ride again.”
Cory said he had been given support from his employer and could sort out a new bike, but his bike which was stolen was distinct and the only one of its kind in WA.
The teens are hoping to get the bikes back before the weekend so they can compete in the WA Gravity Enduro Race on the weekend.
If people have the bikes they can return them to the Busselton Police Station, anyone with information should contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.
