Lyn Isles made a public appeal for information about the family’s missing Land Rover early this month, saying its sentimental value was greater than its commercial value.

The vehicle has since been located in a ditch on the property.

It was one of two vehicles that went missing on Friday, December 19 at about the same time as inmate Jake Skaines was found to have escaped from the Oberon Correctional Centre at Shooters Hill.

Ms Isles said the Land Rover was obviously the first vehicle stolen and, as it is in poor condition, the thief must then have decided to steal their Land-cruiser.

She said police have told her they believe the intruder and thief was 23-year-old Skaines.

“We hold the authorities in charge of the prison responsible for not only the loss of property and vehicles, but the anguish that goes with the violation of our son’s home,” she said.

“We would’ve hoped that after a previous breakout in early December the community would be assured that security was tightened.

“Security must be reviewed at the prison and we were not notified of the escape.

“It seems the victims in this situation are paying for repairs, replacement of stolen items, extreme inconvenience, loss of  time and income on the farm and heightened anxiety as a result of the ordeal.”

Ms Isles said the family is happy to have the light blue, long wheelbase 1972 model Land Rover back. 

She said the vehicle had been part of her family – off and on – for many decades.

“[The vehicle] was built as a pre-production evaluation model in the same factory in Sydney as the army Land Rovers. My father was the managing director of that company,” she said.

“As it was a prototype, its chassis number is not on any product records. 

“The vehicle was retained by my father and kept at his rural property at Tarana.

“The property was sold in 1994 and the ‘Landy’ was brought to Sydney where my son drove it while he was a university student.

“But when he was transferred to work overseas the vehicle was sold to a collector in Victoria.” 

Ms Isles said that when her  son returned to Sydney after 10 years away, he bought a farm outside Oberon and began searching for the Land Rover.

“He repurchased the vehicle, which was only partially restored as the owner had become ill,” she said.

Ms Isles said the family had been told the Landcruiser was dumped near Goulburn and re-stolen.

Goulburn police have charged a 37-year-old man with stealing the Landcruiser, along with other offences.

The Landcruiser is currently at Bathurst Toyota for damage assessment.

Ms Isles said pies and ice cream were eaten when her son’s house was broken into.