Teresa Smith was at home with her partner, Adrian, last Monday when they heard a noise that suspiciously sounded like the engine of their car.

"My partner was watching TV, and I remember him saying to me 'that sounds like my car'," she said.

"He ran to the window and couldn't see it, so he ran out the door and saw it going down the road."

Ms Smith said the police were there within 15 minutes and they were fantastic.

"I can't stress enough how wonderful they were," she said.

"We had two police officers with us, and another officer drove around to see if they could find the car because we could hear it.

"They weren't able to find them."

Ms Smith said the police arrived at 8.30am on Tuesday morning and notified them it had been burnt out on Willans Hill.

"We were devastated," she said.

"It's not a newer model car. It is a collector's item, and it has a lot of sentimental value.

"We were distraught."

Now, the couple has to find a new ute to get to and from work with little insurance money to cover the costs.

"I don't think they realise the impact," Ms Smith said.

"It's all good and fun to take someone's car and take it for a joy ride, but it is impacting hardworking people."

"It was horrible to see the car on the side of all Willans Hill, and it was gut-wrenching."

The toll of Ms Smith has been more than just financial. Now she is stressed and always concerned their other car will suffer the same fate.

"It is terrifying, you feel like a target," she said.

"I feel like nothing is your own, and it is so easy for someone just to come and take it out from under you.

"I have grown up in Ashmont, and this is the first problem we have ever had."

Ms Smith said because she doesn't own the house she lives in, it's hard to install proper security measures, but she will definitely be looking into the cheaper options.

"The car was a 1980 Datsun 1200 ute," she said.

"Once we had the money to buy our own home, we were going to restore it."

Ms Smith wanted to mention that although it's been a tough week, the support from the community has been overwhelmingly positive.

"We have had complete strangers try to help us," she said.

"People are so compassionate."

Anyone who has information regarding this incident can contact Wagga Police Station on 6922 2599 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Riverina Police District Inspector Adrian Telfer encouraged the community to call 000 if they see any suspicious behaviour around the reserves or on the streets.

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