Aussies have slammed a gutless thief for stealing a $120,000 car that the owner had been hoping to sell so he could help his sons get a foot on the property ladder.
Stephen Buttigieg, 63, listed his prized Holden GTS for sale on Facebook Marketplace when a buyer showed up to his home in Bonnyrigg Heights, in south-west Sydney, on Wednesday.
In shocking footage, the well-dressed man, who called himself Brendon, got behind the wheel while Mr Buttigieg stood next to him.
The thief then insisted there was an issue with the car’s boot light and asked Mr Buttigieg to investigate.
‘He said, “I think your boot light’s coming on”, and I said, “Are you sure?”‘ Mr Buttigieg told 9News.
‘And he said, “But it’s only when I put it in gear and reverse”, and the car was going forward and back a bit. So I said, “All right, I’ll check it.”‘
After walking round to the back of the car and closing the boot, Mr Buttigieg was left frozen in shock as his beloved car sped off.
‘I just froze, and I couldn’t believe that he’d done that. Like, he was such a nice person,’ Mr Buttigieg said.
The grandfather was hoping to raise money to help his sons buy their first homes.
The vehicle had no licence plates and was uninsured and was kept in storage due to it being a collector’s item.
Mr Buttigieg broke down in tears at the ordeal, saying if the stranger had asked him to give him $50,000, he would’ve tried to help him out.
Several Aussies have reached out to help after car enthusiast and friend Deacon Vermaak set up a GoFundMe.
Mr Vermaak said the grandfather had been ‘blown away by the generosity and support’ he had received, but closed the fundraiser ‘out of respect for his wishes’.
News of the theft sparked outrage, with Aussies slamming the ‘putrid flop’ for driving away with the car.
‘Are there still humans around like this? Honestly, these gutless, heartless people,’ one said in a TikTok video.
‘Does anyone know him? Are you serious? He just took off with the car, and now the poor bloke is crying.
‘In this day and age, we’re supposed to be coming together and helping out, and this guy here takes advantage of an old man.’
Social media users joined in on the pile-on against the thief.
‘Hope he gets his car back. He must be devastated,’ one commented.
‘So sad. Can’t trust anyone anymore,’ another replied.
NSW Police confirmed an investigation has been launched.