A car belonging to a disabled Altona man has been found dumped at Hoppers Crossing.
As reported exclusively by Star Weekly last week, Phillip Micallef’s Commodore SS,
fitted with hand controls, was stolen from a local mechanics’ workshop overnight on September 5.
Mr Micallef, who was born without legs, pushes himself on a modified scooter or uses an electric mobility scooter for short journeys, but needs a car for longer trips.
He believes his car, which was 20 years old, but in showroom condition, was targeted for parts.
However, after all the publicity, the thieves dumped the car with the keys in the ignition by the side of the Princes Freeway on Saturday.
“I haven’t got any access to it, it’s still with the police to get fingerprinted,” Mr Micallef said.
“It’s going to be written off, they seem to think, because there’s a lot of panel damage.”
Altona resident Bianka Kozole last week started a GoFundMe campaign to surprise Mr Micallef. The campaign raised nearly $1000 in the first four days, and is currently trending.
Ms Kozole said she had known Mr Micallef since she was a young girl and he always tried to help others.
“Somebody like Phil doesn’t deserve something like this to happen to him,” she said.
“He’s always been the kind of person that’s always cared about everyone else, and he’s always made sure that everyone else has the best of everything, and I figured it was time that he had the same in return.
“Whether it be towards a new car or towards modifications on a car like his old one had …whatever he wants to use the money for, he can.”
Information: Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.
