Two elderly couples from Tamworth and Moree have been left shaken after their homes were invaded by young thieves in the past couple of days.
TWO elderly couples from Tamworth and Moree have been left shaken after their homes were invaded by young thieves in the past couple of days.
They’re the latest elderly victims, believed to be in their 70s and 80s, to be confronted by youths in their own homes in the past week and police are appealing for information to find those responsible.
It is understood about 10pm on Monday, the Tamworth couple were getting ready for bed when three teenage boys broke into their Anthony Rd home.
The couple were confronted by the teens, who demanded money before taking two sets of car keys and stealing a silver Subaru Liberty.
The youths then fled the scene in the car, which was found by police a short time later in Mack St, West Tamworth.
Oxley Local Area Command (LAC) crime manager Inspector Phil O’Reilly said police organised a forensic examination of both the scene of the crime and the vehicle.
Inspector O’Reilly said detectives also attended the scene immediately and searched the area yesterday morning.
The youths are believed to have gained entry by cutting a rear gauze screen and unlocking the door.
They have been described as being aged between 12 and 15.
One was described as about 5’6” in height and of a slim build, wearing pink shorts and a dark-coloured jumper. The other was about 5’10” and of a thin build, wearing black pants and a hooded jumper. The third youth was described as about 5’2” and of a medium build.
It is understood the boys covered their faces during the incident.
Hours later in Moree, about 3am, a 79-year-old woman was woken by noises at her Frome St home to find intruders.
She confronted one of them and they fled through the front door.
Her husband was also home at the time and while they weren’t injured in the incident, a number of items were stolen, including car keys, a golf bag and clubs and a mobile phone.
Police searched the area immediately but did not find the thieves.
Barwon LAC Detective Inspector Gavin Rattenbury said the break-in was extremely distressing.
“People should be able to feel safe in their homes whilst they sleep,” he said.
Detective Inspector Rattenbury said police would be searching homes and calling on known offenders to find those who preyed on the innocent and hardworking people.
The invasions come after another break-in to an elderly person’s Tamworth home early last Friday morning.
An 83-year-old had woken to find at least two men brandishing weapons and demanding she tell them the combination to her personal safe.