Trolley boy’s bike plea

A beloved Geraldton man who doesn’t drive is pleading with a thief who stole his sole form of transport — a $1900 bike.

David Barrett, a well-known “trolley boy” in Geraldton, said the bike was stolen from a locked storeroom built into the exterior of his Shenton Street home early this month.

Mr Barrett discovered the bike was missing and phoned police, who are investigating the theft.

“Then I called my parents, who were just devastated,” the 39-year-old said.

“I’d like to find who this person is and tell them that stealing is not the right thing to do.”

Mr Barrett, who has a learning disability, said he had worked hard for his bike and couldn’t believe someone would have the nerve to take something that didn’t belong to them.

He asked anyone who had seen his bike — a 27-speed red-and-black 2018 Giant Roam 2 — to contact police.

“Please return my bike,” he said.

Mr Barrett has warmed the hearts of locals for more than 20 years, pushing trolleys for a Geraldton supermarket and regularly engaging with shoppers.

Earlier this year, Mr Barrett’s employer lost its contract with Woolworths and his employment was terminated.

Shortly after news of his job loss went public, the Rigter family — who own a variety of establishments — offered Mr Barrett a job at one of their IGA stores.

Mr Barrett said he loved working at IGA, where he was able to continue to push trolleys.