David Butler holding his cycling shirt, at home in Piara Waters.
Camera IconDavid Butler holding his cycling shirt, at home in Piara Waters. Credit: Supplied/Marie Nirme

Willetton: theft of bike devastates 80-year-old Piara Waters man

Pia van StraalenCanning Gazette

AN 80-year-old man from Piara Waters is appealing for witnesses, after his bicycle was stolen in broad daylight during a shopping trip in Willetton.

David Butler, who regularly cycles to run errands and for exercise, said he rode the 30 minutes to Willetton to collect medicine for his daughter’s dog, and decided to stop at a hardware store on his way home.

Mr Butler, who said he left his bike for less than two minutes, returned to see a man running away with his bike.

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“He was already a good 50m away, but I raced after him and followed him around a corner where he threw the bike in the boot of his car and drove away with the boot still open,” Mr Butler said.

Mr Butler said he did not lock his bike because he did not plan on being away for long, and was trusting of placing the bike at the front door of the hardware shop.

“It wasn’t left for long and I couldn’t possibly imagine it would be stolen, I’ve been riding my whole life and this has never happened before,” he said.

The theft has been reported to police and Mr Butler described the man as thick set wearing all black.

The offence occurred at 10am on October 13 on High Road in Willetton.

“The bike is all white with a bell the size of a jam donut on the front and green stickers that say ‘Ventoux’ and ‘Dave’,” Mr Butler said.

Canning Vale police are investigating other stealing of bikes in Lynwood.

About 9.45am on Thursday August 11, a man and woman walked down a driveway of a house on Kinbrace Way, took a bike and left the area.

The bike was described as a ladies white Southern Star bicycle with a child seat on the rear.

If you have any information about this offence make a report online at crimestopperswa.com.au or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Quote reference number 8269 for the Lynwood theft and 98605 for Mr Butler’s theft.