A family-run petrol station in south-west Sydney has suffered a shocking new blow just two years after the business was destroyed by a massive fire.
The West Side servo in Campbelltown, which only reopened four weeks ago after the previous attack, was targeted once again on Wednesday.
Several fuel pump hoses were cut and racist graffiti that read ‘die Aussie dogs’ and ‘I hate Aus. Lebanon all the way’ was sprayed on the walls.
The ‘heartbroken’ owners Gee and George said they are ‘at a loss for words’ following the incident – which comes just two years after the accidental fire.
‘I’m mortified and disgusted by how someone could do something like that to a local business,’ Gee told 9News.
A thug wearing a motorcycle helmet was captured on CCTV cutting a petrol pump – a highly dangerous act that could have caused an explosion.
The devastated owners were alerted to the damage after the morning manager spotted petrol leaking from the vandalised pump.
Locals in south-west Sydney didn’t let the latest assault on the popular servo deter them from showing their support, though.
CCTV footage caught the thug (pictured) cutting a petrol pump at the West Side servo
Racist graffiti reading ‘Die Aussie dogs’ was sprayed on the walls of the servo (pictured)
‘For someone to come in with a helmet over his head like a real coward to do something like this to such nice people…,’ regular Geoff Hardcombe said.
‘Thinks vandalism is being a tough guy instead of saying it to your face,’ another said.
‘I’m sorry you have to deal with this. I hope he’s caught,’ a third wrote.
A fourth shared: ‘We are so sorry to hear this, for you beautiful people.
‘What a absolute awful thing to do. And of course the coward had to wear a helmet, lower than a snake.’
The owners shared the sad news with customers in a post to social media.
‘We have turned up this morning to these really unfortunate scenes of graffiti and our fuel hose pumps have been cut in a gutless cowardly act,’ it read.
‘We will keep this person in our prayers. This is a family-run business and to have to deal with these things in today’s living is so heartbreaking.’
‘I hate Aus. Lebanon all the way’ graffiti on the outside of the station read
‘We are trying to do the right thing by our community to provide everyday low prices on a very essential cost of living expense and you get these types of things happen by someone in our community is very sad.’
The petrol lane was closed for the day while the pump was repaired.
Police are on the hunt for a man aged in his 20s or 30s wearing dark clothing with a blue-coloured helmet on. The man was riding a blue and black trail bike.
Anyone with information about the incident, CCTV or dashcam footage is urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
