Facebook campaign rallies to help car theft victim

A Facebook campaign to help out a 95-year-old Matamata man whose car has been stolen is quickly being shared around the social networking site.

Curran Brothers Racing posted a plea for help on their Facebook page, asking people to share round a photo of the stolen vehicle to help track it down.

"There will be people that know where it is so please share and spread the word around!" the post said.

The photo has been shared thousands of times with hundreds of comments saying that those responsible should do the right thing and return the car.

Hugh Pickering bought the light blue Mazda 323 when it was brand new in 1977 and has owned it ever since.

He was regularly seen driving around Matamata in his pride and joy.

The car was stolen on Wednesday 16 January from his garage in the early hours of the morning.

Sergeant Graham McGurk from Matamata Police told the Matamata Chronicle that he believed a person with prior knowledge of the car is responsible for the theft.

"It could be that a relative, a friend or someone living nearby has unwittingly passed on information about the car to the offender," he said.

"It's highly unlikely that a random person passing through town could have known about this vehicle. Someone in Matamata will know who has taken it."

Anybody with information on the whereabouts of the car should contact Matamata police on (07) 888 7117 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.