By Tyler Wright
Detectives from the Vehicle Crime Squad are appealing for information following the theft of a rare and distinctive Ford Mustang from Ferntree Gully earlier this month.
The 2021 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR, registration 900KR, is valued at approximately $400,000 and is the only one of its kind in Australia.
Two men can be seen loitering out the front of Mustang Motorsport, a car specialist located on Hayward Road, on Wednesday 11 October at 3.45pm.
The duo briefly left the area before one of the men, wearing a blue jumper, black trackpants, black baseball cap and sunglasses, walked through the gate, entered the Ford Mustang and drove off.
Vehicles were being moved in and out of the showroom at the time, and the key was accessible.
The Mustang is then captured on CCTV heading north towards Burwood Highway.
Just prior to the theft the two men stopped at a fast-food premises on Burwood Highway, where one of the men reached behind the counter and took a drink without paying.
On Friday 27 October investigators released CCTV and images of the vehicle and of two men they believe can assist with their enquiries.
The first man is described as Caucasian in appearance, with a slim build and approximately 190cm tall.
He is wearing a blue jumper, black trackpants, black baseball cap and sunglasses.
The second man is described as Asian/Polynesian in appearance, with a slim build and approximately 160cm tall.
He is wearing a blue t-shirt, black trackpants, a grey hooded jumper and sunglasses.
The Mustang is charcoal in colour, with a distinctive blue stripe over the driver and passenger side doors and bearing the words ‘GT 500KR’. It also has a rear spoiler.
The vehicle is a rare Shelby GT 500KR edition and has a Cobra badge on the front grill. There is also a ‘KR’ badge on the rear panel.
A Mustang Motorsport sticker is visible on the top of the front windscreen.
Mustang Motorsport managing director Craig Dean said it is “devastating” someone would have the gaul enter the property illegally.
“I’ve been running the business since 1990, and I’ve been racing mustangs over a fair while for 23 years,” Mr Dean said.
“I retired from [racing], so I just wanted something special.
“We’ve also been sponsors of the Mustang Owners Club movement for 20 years, and they’re the major sponsors in this week’s the Shelby National, so it was going to be the flagship car on Sunday [29 October] in Dandenong.”
Mr Dean had been away on holidays when the car was stolen.
It had only been completed buy his son, who owns Crossover Car Conversions, that day after sitting in a showroom.
The man who was moving the cars at the time of the theft was Mr Dean’s business partner, with the vehicle sitting at the front of the business with its window down and keys in it.
“It’s difficult,” Mr Dean said.
“I just sort of shook my head and thought ‘goodness me’.
“What do you do? You can go crook but that doesn’t solve anything, so I said ‘you better find it,’ ‘how much money have you got in the bank?'”
Mr Dean said he is living in hope the unique car, which was imported about five months ago, is found anything done to it.
“The GT500 Shelby starts off in the Ford factory in America, and there’s very few [parts] of that car that you could swap into a local car,” he said.
When asked what he would say to the person who stole his prized possession, Mr Dean had a poignant message.
“I feel sorry for your mate, that you have to do things like that.
“What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? That’s all I can say.”
At the time it was stolen, the car was bearing the registration plates 900 KR.
Police are asking people to keep a look out for the distinctive vehicle and expect it may have travelled anywhere across Melbourne, or potentially interstate.
Anyone with information on the two men in the CCTV or who has seen the vehicle is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Detective Senior Constable Michael Gatt from the Vehicle Crime Squad said the theft of someone’s “prized possession” in broad daylight was “utterly brazen”.
“This is someone with a great love of vehicles who has worked hard to build this car and has had it taken away from him,” Constable Gatt said.
“It’s an incredibly rare car, and it is very distinctive – we would encourage anyone who has seen it, or who recognises the two men in the CCTV to come forward and contact police.”
