By Cam Lucadou-Wells and Mitchell Clarke
Thieves have devastatingly robbed a Dandenong disability pensioner of his main means of transport twice in a matter of months.
On both occasions, Denis Papko had his bright-red electric tricycle secured with a heavy locked chain and displaying a large DISABILITY sign on the back.
Each cost $2500 and were essential to Mr Papko, whose mobility is impaired. He can’t afford to replace or insure the tricycles.
“It gets on my nerves that they don’t look at the (disability) sign and think ‘what if he can’t walk?’”
About 11.45pm on a night last June, a male and female on a red motorcycle entered a basement car park under Mr Papko’s apartment on Cheltenham Road, Dandenong.
CCTV footage showed that the tricycle’s chainlock was broken, and it was wheeled out of the building, Mr Papko says.
The loss brought him to tears and shock.
“I couldn’t sleep, I couldn’t do anything,” Mr Papko said.
“I went to (his carer) Gerry’s place and stayed at his place.”
Two months ago, that carer Gerry de Groot kindly bought a replacement.
That tricycle was stolen despite being securely chained outside Sandown Park Hotel on Tuesday 28 January about 6.45pm.
Mr Papko had gone inside the hotel to play cards. Within 15 minutes, two males had nicked the trike – with one of them observed to be struggling to ride it away.
Mr Papko and his carer spent many fruitless hours searching for the trike.
They scoured up and down Corrigan Road and throughout Noble Park and Springvale, as well as trawling online trading websites.
“I had the last one for only two months – it was brand new,” Mr Papko said.
“I’ve got nothing now.
“I’m sad. I don’t know why these sort of people do this.”
His carer Mr de Groot added: “He has a travel card and a taxi card – he can get around.
“But it’s important for his wellbeing and his recreation.
“It’s his independence.”
Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au.
