Stolen tractor found

By Paul Dunlop
A FARMER and his tractor have been reunited.
Laurie Mobbs, 78, was devastated by the recent theft of the tractor from his Modella farm, as reported in last week’s Gazette (3 August).
But his distress turned to delight when police phoned him to say the tractor had been recovered.
“I am thrilled,” he said.
“I was lost without my tractor. I wouldn’t have been able to bring in my harvest without it.”
The tractor was valued at $35,000.
Mr Mobbs was extremely upset by the theft, which occurred on 24 July.
Police investigating the stolen farm machinery found the tractor behind a tree on Thwaites Road, Yannathan, about 3.20pm on Sunday afternoon.
Mr Mobbs said police had been alerted by a farmer who spotted the tractor.
“I drove it home last night,” Mr Mobbs told the Gazette on Monday.
“They’d wrecked the starter key lock trying to use a screwdriver to start it so I had to roll start it to get it going, but otherwise it was okay.
“I was devastated but 14 days later it has been found.”
Mr Mobbs said he was grateful to the police for their efforts in recovering his tractor.
“I’d also like to express my appreciation to the many farmers and other people who helped with the investigation.”