Fri Oct 04 05:02:18 UTC 2024: ## Stolen Ute Found, But Comedian Karen O’Leary Faces a Happy Problem
Wellington comedian Karen O’Leary is celebrating the return of her beloved 1990 Toyota Hilux, a distinctive blue ute with a bright pink door, after it was stolen in September. The ute was found by a vigilant Wellingtonian who recognized it despite its shoddy repaint job and swapped license plates.
However, O’Leary now faces a happy dilemma: she has two utes. The stolen ute, while recovered, will require repairs due to damage caused by the thief.
“I’m kind of in a situation now where I’ve got two utes… it’s excessive,” O’Leary said.
She had already purchased a new Nissan Navara after accepting the stolen ute might never be recovered. The recovered ute holds sentimental value, as O’Leary bought it on a road trip with her late father and they planned to customize it together.
Despite the sentimental value, O’Leary is considering selling the recovered ute, saying the theft might be a sign to move on.
“I’ve been thinking long and hard about what the best thing to do is, and I think this whole thing has taught me a couple of things. The first is, a car is just a car, and someone can steal your car, but they can never steal your memories,” she said.
O’Leary plans to use any profit from the sale to fund a thank-you party for the Wellington community, who rallied around her during the search for the stolen ute.
“We have had so many messages from members of the public wanting to help out, people that don’t know me but just wanted to take the time to show me they care,” O’Leary said.
The recovered ute is expected to be repaired within three weeks, and O’Leary plans to sell it sometime around Labour Weekend.
Meanwhile, she’s embracing the fresh start with her new Nissan Navara, which she plans to paint in a variety of colors.
“Obviously the new ute I’ve got is white, it’s gonna be easy to paint that every single colour and I will definitely do that,” she said.
First Piper 