In an audacious late-night operation, thieves have made off with more than 25 tonnes of heavy sandstone blocks from a main road in the Lake Macquarie region, leaving local authorities stunned by the scale and boldness of the crime.
A Heavyweight Heist on The Esplanade
The incident occurred on Saturday night along The Esplanade at Speers Point. According to Lake Macquarie City Council, the culprits stole 23 individual sandstone blocks, each measuring a substantial two metres by 50 centimetres and weighing a remarkable 1.1 tonnes.
The blocks were originally installed back in July 2025 as a vehicle mitigation measure. Their purpose was to prevent cars from parking on the grassed area adjacent to the busy road, which is near the popular Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility.
Logistics of a 'Brazen' Robbery
Council's assets manager, Dayne Harris, described the theft as "incredibly brazen," noting the location's visibility on a road busy at all hours. The sheer weight and volume of the loot pose significant questions about how the theft was executed.
"Chances are that with so many blocks, they would have either needed more than one truck or would have had to make multiple trips there and back to steal them and unload them elsewhere," Mr Harris stated.
The council estimates the total loss, including installation costs, at $10,000. The theft has been formally reported to New South Wales Police, who are now investigating.
Council Response and Public Appeal
In the immediate aftermath, the council plans to install temporary water-filled barriers at the site to continue deterring illegal parking. This incident follows a recent program where similar sandstone blocks were installed on the Warners Bay and Toronto foreshores, adhering to NSW Police vehicle mitigation guidelines.
Authorities are urgently appealing to the public for information. Dayne Harris has urged anyone who may have witnessed the activity or captured relevant dashcam footage to come forward.
"Hopefully someone has seen them in action, or maybe has dashcam footage of the theft taking place," he said. Information can be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers.
