A COLDSTREAM girl was left heartbroken after callous thieves took off with her scooter while she was buying an ice cream.

Tessa Normington, 10, was at the Coldstream milkbar on April 19 at 4.15pm when she saw two teenage girls take her scooter and helmet.

Tessa had left her scooter outside for only a few minutes while she went in to buy an ice cream.

Her mum, Julie Normington, said her daughter was ‘‘screaming and hysterical’’ when she saw the girls take her scooter.

Ms Normington and Tessa drove around for an hour afterwards looking for it and reported the incident to Lilydale police who are investigating.

Ms Normington said she was angry at the people responsible and described the act as ‘‘pretty low’’.

‘‘Tessa has mild autism and she exercises a lot, it’s part of her stress relief to teach her independence, and for someone to take her scooter, it’s a kick in the guts,’’ she said.

Ms Normington is hoping the people responsible hand the scooter back to police and apologise.

In a gesture of goodwill, Chirnside Park Kmart donated a brand new scooter and helmet to Tessa, which she is now happily riding.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact Lilydale Constable Cathy Butler on 9739 2300

Well done Cathy