Elderly woman, 85, in shock as mobility scooter stolen from driveway of Wantirna, Melbourne home

An elderly woman whose mobility scooter was stolen from her Melbourne driveway earlier this month says she has lost her independence.

The scooter was stolen from June Whitley’s home inside an aged care facility on the Burwood Hwy in Wantirna sometime overnight between October 8 and 9.

Whitley, 85, says she noticed the red scooter was gone from her driveway when she went to take out some rubbish.

“It was such a shock,” she said.

“I just stood there with my mouth open.”

Having given up driving two years ago, Whitley said the scooter was her main mode of transport and how she maintains her independence.

The grandmother said the thief had not taken the scooter key, rendering it useless.

“I can’t understand it,” she said.

Whitley has only had the scooter, worth $2000-plus, for two years.

It is insured for $3000 however she is unsure how much she will get back.

And in the meantime, while her claim is processed, she has had to find other ways to get about.

Whitley lives mostly independently in her own home at the facility, which also caters for elderly people with greater care needs.

The fact the thief entered an aged care facility and stole from an elderly person was “disgusting”, Whitley said.

“Don’t pick on the elderly, we’ve worked hard,” she said.

“I don’t deserve this.”

Because the scooter cannot be used without its key, Senior Constable Leanne Castle said it is possible it was stolen for parts or to be resold.

She urged the community to keep an eye out for a red Invacare Pegasus Metro mobility scooter on Facebook Marketplace or any other online selling platform.

The scooter also has an RACV sticker under the gears on the steering column and a black shopping bag on the back with a mobility scooter logo.

Police are searching through CCTV footage as the investigation continues, Castle said.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any dashcam or CCTV footage has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers.