A Lennox Hotel staff member working two jobs is facing a $1,045 insurance excess she cannot afford after her Subaru disappeared from the pub’s carpark.
A Ballina Shire man has been charged over the alleged Lennox Hotel car theft, but a staff member’s Subaru XV remains missing.
Blake Raymond Greenhalgh, 23, is charged with taking and driving a conveyance without the owner’s consent.
The owner, Brekita Laing, 36, told The Coast Report her car was driven to Caboolture railway station in Queensland and left there before being stolen again.
She said it was last sighted in Caboolture early on Friday, October 23.
Lennox Hotel car theft
Laing left the Subaru in the hotel’s Pacific Parade carpark after having a drink following her shift and got a lift home.
When she returned the next morning to collect it, the car was gone.
Laing said CCTV reviewed by hotel staff showed a man trying to open vehicle doors about 4.45am on Sunday, October 18.
She had owned the Subaru for just two months.
“My father lent me the money for the car as I had none, he is a pensioner which has put major financial strain on him,” she said.
“I don’t have the heart to tell him what has happened yet in the hope that my car would be recovered and still drivable.”
“I’m drowning in debt and working 2 jobs to make ends meet, to feed myself and my dog and have petrol to get to work,” she said.
A friend has lent her a car, but she said she now needs to pay for insurance to drive it.
Arrest and bail
Tweed/Byron Police District officers began investigating the reported theft on October 18.
Following inquiries, police arrested Greenhalgh at Byron Bay Police Station on Thursday, October 22.
He was granted conditional police bail, requiring him to report to Ballina Police Station once a week.
Greenhalgh is due to appear at Ballina Local Court on October 26.
Anyone with information about the silver Subaru XV, NSW registration GBS 45N, or its whereabouts is urged to contact Ballina Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, quoting event number E104878630.
Image: Blake Greenhalgh/Facebook