An Auckland man is "heartbroken" after a group of thieves allegedly stole around 50 of his "beloved" bonsai plants from his Mount Albert home.
The man's son, Nick Yu, who is based in Melbourne, put up a Facebook post about the incident in the hope the plants can be found and returned.
"In the early hours of Sunday morning, around 30 of my father’s beloved bonsai plants have been stolen from their backyard in Mount Albert," Yu wrote on Facebook. "The thieves knew exactly what they were looking for and had picked out the most prized plants.
"Just when you think it’s heart wrenching enough, within 24 hours in the early hours of Monday morning, the thieves had the audacity to return, and took another 20 of his Bonsai trees."
Yu is hoping that someone can come forward with information about the incident and put an end to these "awful crimes".
"I know we won’t see those trees again, but these heartless crimes should be stopped," Yu says. "Please share these photos of my father’s beautiful trees and story and please share below if you have similar experiences in Auckland or if you have noticed any suspicious trading activities involving bonsai trees."
Newshub have contacted the police for comment on the incident.
Yu describes his father - who is 68-years-old - as a quiet kind man, who keeps his feelings inside and has been a student of the art of bonsai plants for more than 30 years.
"When he told me what had happened, he sounded calm but I knew he was heartbroken," Yu wrote on Facebook. "He nurtured these miniature trees on a daily basis like they were his own children.
"Watching them grow inch by inch and sculpting them slowly into shape over the years. He would proudly display them around the house, and invite friends and families over to enjoy them."
The average price for a bonsai tree is $90 on simplybonsai.
Yu says the plants helped his father and gave him a sense of achievement as Auckland battled COVID outbreaks.
"They were his pride and joy, masterpieces that have taken him decades to grow," Yu says. "They had also brought him joy and sense of achievement over these difficult times of COVID lockdowns."
The response to the post has shown the heartwarming side to the Auckland community, with people offering Yu's father some of their bonsai trees to make up for the stolen ones.
"So sorry for his loss, I'm very new and only have a couple of trees but he would be very welcome if he would like one," one person wrote.
Another person said, "so sad to learn about your fathers loss. I feel sad and heartbroken with him. As a keen gardener and proud plant propagator, I can relate to his pride and attachment. I hope some may get recovered."
