$14k bikes stolen in 'targeted' raid

GONE: Three bikes have been stolen from an Alfredton farm over the weekend. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

An Alfredton family have lost motorcycles worth thousands of dollars in what police are describing as a blatant burglary.

Three motorcycles were stolen from an unlocked shed on their farm while the family were at home on Saturday night.

Eketahuna Constable Donna Olliver said the bikes, a 85cc blue Yamaha, a blue 250cc Yamaha and an orange KTM 400, worth about $14,000, were stolen in what appeared to be a targeted burglary.

"It's a bit unusual in that it appears that the address was targeted. Knowing that the bikes were there, the address was targeted specifically for the bikes.

"It's pretty blatant. They probably just wheeled them out."

The owner of the bikes, who did not wish to be named, said it was likely someone who knew about the bikes had stolen them, as the shed the bikes were taken from was not visible from the road.

"They had to know that they were there. There was all sorts of other things in the shed, like chainsaws, and nothing else was taken, so they must have come for the bikes."

The family had returned from a motocross event that day, leaving the shed unlocked while they stayed up late to watch the rugby.

They had heard nothing suspicious during the night and the theft was not discovered until the next morning.

Several other bikes in the shed were not taken.

The theft felt like an invasion of their privacy, the owner said.

"We are angry about it. It means I'm going to have to take more care and lock everything up, because they might be back for the others."

Two of the bikes belonged to his children and his daughter was particularly upset, he said.

Two were covered by insurance and one was partially covered.

He was not holding out much hope of getting the bikes back, he said. "I think it's unlikely we'll ever see them again."

His advice for other rural property owners was to lock things up. "We are not very good at that in the country."

Anyone with information regarding the theft should contact Eketahuna police on (06) 375 8277 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.