Thieves

It goes without saying that a privileged neighbourhood does not automatically denote class, especially where it concerns kids allowed to wander the streets after midnight.

At 2am this morning I stopped for two boys aged around thirteen years in a remote part of West Pymble. Despite heading for home in the opposite direction I was sufficiently concerned by the isolated location to get them back to Wahroonga, an exclusive suburb on the upper North Shore.

After boarding one boy used a mobile phone to negotiate payment of the fare from a mate at the destination. Hearing this I slowed the cab to confirm he had money, and was told, “Yes, I have $50 and my friend has $25.” Fair enough, I thought, if there’s one thing kids on the North Shore aren’t short of, it’s money.

Turning off the highway at Wahroonga I spotted a police vehicle at the service station, yet was confident enough in my passenger’s assurances not to stop there and demand payment. Silly me.

We arrived at the railway station where two other boys were waiting for us, supposedly to pay the $18.80 fare. Sure enough, after enquiring how much was owed, the passengers jumped out and they all ran off into the park.

Rather than chase after them whilst they were still in sight, I tore off in the opposite direction, to the police at the servo. They were just leaving and after being informed of the incident they headed off to find the kids, arriving within two minutes of the event.

Back at the station overpass I found the police car with flashing lights and the kids bailed up in the headlights. “You either pay the fare of get fined $100,” said the cops. However it wasn’t until I’d identified the two offenders that one admitted the offence. The little liar then reluctantly produced a fifty dollar note. Returning thirty dollars change I told them, “You know what – you kids have no class”, thanked the cops and left.

I had no interest in hanging around to see what the cops did with them, though, at the very least, one would hope their parents were informed. It was enough that I’d recovered my money, especially given a waiting couple then hailed me with a $30 fare.

Therefore the last hour of the shift reaped fifty bucks, instead of nothing. Call me lucky.

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Comments

[Anthony]

$30 change? Well, at least he gave you a tip.

[Goldstein]

Adrian, you are so lucky you're in metro Sydney not Adelaide -if that had happened in Adelaide you'd never find a copper.. And if you managed to find a couple, and told them you just had a fare evasion, they'd look at you dead-pan, like you were telling them you had Tinea, and drive off..

Here, the roads in the early am are the province of Turbo driving hoons "dragging", and pea-brained youths doing burnouts, oh, and smash and grab gangs driving stolen Commodores into Pharmacies to steal Sudafed for Amphet cooking, and French perfumes for resale at markets..

I kid you not..

[Sprite]

You were lucky. I'm so glad the kids were caught and you got paid!

[MANLY CABBIE]

the only 3 runners i have had in 27 years where from little pratts from the north shore,i pick up in that part of town now its money up front or no taxi for you.

[zhasper]

Loving the maps :)

[d.]

Hah, good for you!

That he actually had a fifty on him makes the little whelp even more disgusting.