Help pours in as hunt for stolen PS3 intensifies

Do you know where Tyree Walters' stolen PS3 is? Let the police or the Northern Advocate know.

Offers of support for 6-year-old Tyree Walters are pouring in as the hunt for his stolen PlayStation intensifies.

The brave youngster was in hospital having surgery to dog bites on his face when thieves broke into his Hikurangi home and stole food, his school bag and PlayStation 3.

The PlayStation is of sentimental value as it belonged to his dad Reece Walters, who passed away three years ago, and stored hundreds of songs that reminded Tyree of his father.

The Northern Advocate highlighted Tyree's plight yesterday and since then offers of help have rolled in with people making generous cash offers along with people wanting to pitch in and buy a replacement PlayStation.

Tyree's mum Jess Wood said she had also been overwhelmed by the support shown on social media with people commenting on the Hikurangi Community page.

Kelly-Jane Haika said Hikurangi was a small place it would not take to long for something to surface.

"Not good at all," was the description by Arabelle Sobran.

"Hope they return the things. These people have no conscience at all. I hope they can read this post and regret their act and bring the stuff back."

And the posts of support continued on the Northern Advocate page with Andy Mayhew offering to chip in for a new PlayStation.

"If it was just a game console, I wouldn't really care, but as it has his Dad's music on, that is irreplaceable," Mr Mayhew said.

Ms Wood said reading everyone's comments was awesome and it was amazing to see the community get behind them.

"It's cruel to steal from a little boy, that's what upsets me the most. How can someone go into a kid's room and take stuff?" she said.

Staff from the Northern Advocate and The Hits Northland hit the streets of Hikurangi yesterday to deliver flyers appealing for the return of the PlayStation.

Over 200 flyers were put in letterboxes asking for the PlayStation to be left at any police station or at the Northern Advocate office in Roberts St.

The general response from those in the street was one of disgust with everyone demanding the thieves come forward and turn over the PlayStation.

PlayStation NZ were also getting behind the return of Tyree's gaming console.

They posted on their facebook: "We're putting out an appeal. If you have any information that can help Tyree get back the treasured PS3 that holds his music, please contact Whangarei police station on 09 4304500 or anonymously on Crimestoppers 0800 555 111."

Yesterday Tyree seemed to be on the mend and the 30 stitches in his face and chest were healing cleanly.

Tyree had been at the neighbour's playing on Friday about 5pm when a shar pei dog, that was chained up, bit him on the face. With blood gushing from the wounds on his right cheek Ms Wood rushed him to Whangarei Hospital in her car but left her house unlocked. When they returned on Sunday morning thieves had gone through their home taking food from the fridge and freezer, clothes, alcohol and Tyree's precious PlayStation. They even took his school bag with his library books.

The dog was impounded and its future is still to be decided as the Whangarei District Council continues to investigate.