In the early hours of December 28, a distinctive Ford Courier was taken from a Calton Hill address and reported to police as stolen the next day.
The registered owner of the ute, who the Otago Daily Times has agreed not to name, said the vehicle, which was not insured, had since been seen driven by teenagers erratically and at speed across Otago.
"I know that people have been ringing 111 and they’ve been ringing 105 with sightings and police have done literally nothing, nothing at all," she said.
"I’ve got addresses of where these kids hang out, where they live, and nothing has been done.
"It’s driven past them, for God’s sake."
Frustrated by what she believed was police inaction, she began tracking down the culprit herself.
Since then the teenager who she believed stole the ute has been in touch on social media — taunting her and promising to steal from her family again.
"I’ll send ya a vid burning ya truck," one message read.
"Coming back to duds [sic] [tonight] to steal that c.... other truck," another post said.
She had also been threatened with violence from the teenager’s family — "[people] coming down to kick my head in" — but was not deterred.
"I want this ute back and I’m not going to stop until I’ve got it back."
The vehicle was a labour of love for one of her sons, who had been building it for his brother, she said.
"Over three years, he has probably sunk about $18,000 into that ute to have it built.
"[His brother] didn’t even get to drive it. Someone else stole it."
She had been told police wanted to catch the thief "in the act".
"What are the police going to do, wait till he’s hit someone and hurt someone and killed them, or what?
"I’m doing a better job than the police are.
"I’ve got so many messages from people where [the group of teenagers] have stolen cars and stood over their grandkids for shoes ... I want them stopped."
There were programmes and facilities which could help teen offenders, which police should be using, she said.
"But nobody’s doing anything."
She was considering contacting a local MP in an attempt to get someone to listen to her.
"This kid’s going to kill someone with his driving."
She urged the public to ring the police if they saw the ute.
A police spokesperson did not respond to specific questions but confirmed the matter had been reported to police.
"[It] has been assigned for investigation."
On Friday night, police responded to an incident in Murray St in Mosgiel "where a young person was threatened in relation to the vehicle", the spokesperson said.
In both instances, inquiries were ongoing.
