A decorated Christmas tree has been stolen from Katoomba Street, leaving volunteers from the Katoomba Garden Brigade (KGB) in despair.
The tree, which was more than 1.5 metres tall, was dug out of its planter barrel overnight on December 6.
Heart of Stone owner and KGB volunteer, Lui Friscioni, said it was a despicable act.
“Volunteers have long been frustrated by the ... regular disgraceful thefts by mean and nasty thieves taking plants intended to be enjoyed by the community to beautify their own gardens or for profit,” he said.
But they had “hit a new low” with the theft of the Christmas tree outside his shop.
“Very likely there will be some people this Christmas period unknowingly celebrating with this thief and tree,” Mr Friscioni said.
“A message from the KGB to the thief: ‘Did you steal the Christmas presents as well? Your family must be very proud of you. Merry Christmas.’”
Sexual assaults
A 67-year-old Blackheath man faced Penrith court last Friday following the sexual assault of two teenagers in Katoomba.
About 11.35am on December 2 police were told a man sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl as she left a train at Katoomba Railway Station.
In another incident about 1.35pm on December 6, a 14-year-old girl was waiting for a friend at United Cinema in Katoomba when she was approached by a man.
Police allege the man sexually assaulted the girl, before leaving the location on foot. Neither of the teenagers sustained injuries as a result of the incidents, Blue Mountains Police Chief Inspector Peter Scheinflug said.
The man was charged with four counts of sexually touching another person without consent. He faced Penrith Local Court last Friday, and was dealt with under the mental health provisions act. Chief Insp Scheinflug said police will be seeking that he be placed on the Child Protection Register.
He said police believe there may be other victims in the Upper Mountains that have not yet come forward.
Peisley case
Police are awaiting the results of forensic testing on clothing buried under the former Katoomba home of Belinda Peisley, who went missing 20 years ago. The underwear, in the teenager’s size, was uncovered during a three-day dig last week.
Cyclist hit
A cyclist was injured on Hawkesbury Road, Winmalee, after allegedly being hit by a small truck as it overtook him crossing double white lines.
The incident occurred about 11.30am on December 8, and the cyclist was taken to Westmead Hospital.
“The truck driver has overtaken the bicycle at about 50km/h, crossing double white lines into the northbound lane,” said Chief Insp Scheinflug. “Whilst undertaking this manoeuvre, the truck was forced back into the southbound lane by an oncoming vehicle, in doing so the rear of the truck has collided with the bicyclist who was thrown from his bicycle onto the roadway.”
Police would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the collision.