A 19-year-old Wellington entrepreneur, who was heartbroken by the theft of her ice cream cart, has had her faith in humanity restored.
Claudia Hopkins hopes to be back in business soon with her recovered, albeit somewhat dented, trailer of treats.
The Sophia’s Real Fruit Ice Cream cart was taken by a person, or persons, unknown over the weekend.
The ice cream trailer, a regular summer fixture in Oriental Bay, disappeared from Wadestown Rd in Wellington on Saturday, June 6.
"When I found out it was stolen, I was devastated, heartbroken and confused. I have been saving for years to start a business of my own and it felt like all my hard work, time and money got taken away in a pinch," Hopkins said.
"I was also confused about what the potential motive would have been for somebody to steal a business. It’s very unfortunate that these things happen to tenacious, hardworking people."
The cart was found on Tuesday afternoon about 14km away on Titiro Moana Rd in Korokoro, near Petone.
Hopkins said she received an anonymous tip from someone who lived on the road, who had heard about the stolen cart. It was apparently "dumped" on their street Saturday night or Sunday morning.
“They sent me some photos and I recognised it immediately by the curtain I sewed for the window.
"I saw that and I knew immediately it was mine and my heart was racing.”
However, the cart had sustained some visible damage as it had been "defaced, mishandled and potentially broken into".
Police said in a statement that inquiries into the circumstances of the cart being stolen were ongoing.
"We encourage anyone with information about who might have taken it, or who knows anything about the circumstances, to please get in touch through 105 quoting reference number 260607/4031."
Inspector Jason McCarthy, Wellington Area Prevention Manager, added: “Small business owners already have it tough currently, and we know that losses like this can be devastating."
Hopkins said she will begin the repair process of getting her business back up and running as soon as possible.
"I am so grateful for the huge amount of support I am receiving from the New Zealand and Wellington community ... without the goodness and honesty that is being poured my way, I believe I wouldn't have seen my cart again," she said.
She is also hatching plans to do something to give back to the community this summer.
– By Tyra Harrison for 1News.
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