A couple who had their home invaded and car stolen say they were hit with a shock $6,000 fine because one of the thieves didn’t wear a seatbelt.
Leila and Hamid, from Australia’s Gold Coast, were asleep when masked intruders stormed their home and stole valuables before making off with their Lexus SUV.
According to local reports, the thieves already had one of the car keys and attempted to enter the couple’s bedroom to grab more.
“They already had Leila’s car key when they tried to come into the bedroom to get the keys to the other cars,” Hamid told Today.
Family fined $6K after home invaders steal car
He said the intruders grabbed random items including a vacuum, gym bag and shoes before leaving. After being woken by the noise, Hamid chased them out and called police. He claims officers never arrived, and the group returned shortly after.
That’s when they took the Lexus and fled.
Hamid said he called police a second time but, three weeks later, officers have still not attended the home.
Instead, the couple received a notice from transport authorities informing them they had been fined $6,258 AUD after a traffic camera captured the stolen SUV being driven without a seatbelt.
The infringement is reportedly due by March 3, with the threat of additional fees if unpaid.
“It’s been about three weeks and the police still haven’t arrived,” Hamid said. “And unfortunately we’ve now received an infringement that Mr bad guy wasn’t wearing a seatbelt.”
The couple was fined over $6000 despite being the victims of a home invasion.
The family say the ordeal has taken a toll, particularly on their seven-year-old child, who was present when the thieves returned to steal the car. Hamid said they have taken her to a psychologist twice in hopes of preventing lasting trauma.
Meanwhile, the suspects remain at large.
“They have cameras all along the highways on the Gold Coast,” Hamid added. “How is it the cameras can get us with a fine, but they can’t capture the rego and stop the thieves driving the car?”
Authorities have yet to publicly comment on whether the fine will be waived.
