An Australian couple were left baffled after being issued a hefty fine for their stolen vehicle because the thieves committed a traffic violation.
Leila and Hamid were fined AUD 6,258 ($4,100) after the thieves who stole their Lexus were photographed not wearing seatbelts. The couple’s frustration had already been building for weeks due to an apparent lack of effort by authorities to locate the vehicle; the unexpected fine only added insult to injury.
The ordeal began when masked intruders broke into the couple’s home and stole various valuables, including a vacuum cleaner, a gym bag, and Leila’s car keys, before being chased away by Hamid. Although Hamid immediately called the police, they reportedly failed to arrive. The thieves later returned to the property and stole the couple's Lexus.
Hamid stated that he contacted the police once again, but no officers visited their home or followed up on the report. Three weeks later, the couple received a notice from transport authorities after a traffic camera captured the stolen SUV being driven by a person not wearing a seatbelt.
“It’s been about three weeks, and the police still haven’t arrived,” Hamid said. “And unfortunately, we’ve now received an infringement because the criminal wasn't wearing a seatbelt.”
“They have cameras all along the highways on the Gold Coast,” Hamid said. He further added, “How is it the cameras can get us with a fine, but they can’t capture the rego and stop the thieves driving the car?”
&uuid=(email))