Those were the words of Hill Top Golf and Country Club general manager Christopher Longbottom after a thief stole an inflatable jumping castle from the Tatura club last month.
Tatura police Senior Constable Ben Manson said a man drove a golf buggy into the front section of Hill Top Golf and Country Club at Tatura, hooked up a deflated inflatable jumping castle, and drove off with it about 1.15am on January 29.
The blue and white jumping castle was dragged behind the golf cart to the end of the main road near the club, where it was then loaded on to a silver ute, according to Mr Longbottom.
The club had used the jumping castle the day before at a family-orientated golf and bowls day.
Measuring about 4m long by 4m wide and about 3m tall, the jumping castle had been left on the lawn out the front of the clubhouse to be packed up the next morning.
The club had done this many times before, but this time was different.
Mr Longbottom said a golf buggy owned by one of the players had also been left at the clubhouse overnight with the keys still in the ignition.
He said the owner had decided not to take it home after having some drinks and was coming back to pick it up the following day.
When the social club member returned the next day for the golf cart, it had been returned to where they had left it, but the keys had been taken.
Mr Longbottom said he could not understand why anyone would steal the jumping castle, saying the only people it would hurt were children who played on it at events at the club.
“I can’t fathom why anyone would want to steal a jumping castle,” he said.
“It’s not like you can hide it.
“I can’t see how they are going to use it.”
Mr Longbottom said the club would like to have the jumping castle returned.
“We’d like it back,” he said.
“It’s just used by children.”
The man police want to speak to is described as Caucasian, and was wearing dark clothes and a face covering — possibly a neck warmer pulled over his face.
He appeared to be wearing gloves and was carrying a backpack.
Anyone with information about the theft should phone Tatura police on 5824 3099 or contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
To see a video that has been given to the police, head to sheppnews.com.au/videos
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