Brad Whiteley had locked his records in his Ford Laser sedan in the old Galton’s car park near the Hunter River while he spoke to a hotel owner.

The DJ returned to his car about 30 minutes later, shocked to find a rear passenger window had been smashed with a beer bottle and two bags full of records worth about $1500 were missing.

Also stolen were his prescription glasses.

Mr Whiteley yesterday offered a $500 reward – “no questions asked” - for the return, undamaged, of his record collection and glasses.

“The total value of my records and glasses was about $2000 but the sentimental value of the record collection cannot be replaced,’’ Mr Whiteley said.

The theft took place between 11pm and 11.30pm and his car was locked at the time.

“I had already taken one box of records into a hotel and was going out for the second load,’’ he said.

“I had noticed a group of youths aged about 17 who were standing about, but I never thought any more of it.

“I just stood in disbelief when I saw what I saw.

“They had smashed a rear passenger window with a long neck beer bottle which is still inside the car for police to examine. This gave them free range to everything inside the car and they also raided the boot.’’

Mr Whiteley said he could still work as a DJ, which was a part-time work-hobby, but the theft made it much harder to do his job properly.

“And of course I can’t drive without my prescription glasses,’’ he said.

“The records are useless to anyone who does not have a record player.

“But they are so very valuable to me and I cannot put a price on them.’’

Mr Whiteley’s collection included records by such artists as Mylo, Martin Solveig and Armand Van Helden.

His prescription glasses are Rayban brand.

Mr Whiteley said he could be contacted on his mobile number 0413 484 111. Anyone with information about the theft should contact Maitland police on 4934 0200 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.