Jul 23, 2021

Residents live in fear as thieves target retirement village

In one terrifying incident, an elderly woman was threatened in her bed, while another resident had her handbag stolen from beside her bed.

“She was just absolutely devastated to think she’d been asleep and someone had been there and taken her handbag,” her neighbour told the ABC.

A 77-year-old resident woke one night to find men shining a torch into her eyes, demanding she give them the keys to her car.

Fortunately, the woman had an alarm beside her bed, which she activated while screaming for help.

Resident Barry Kanz told the ABC thieves attempted to break into his home in April by cutting through or burning screen doors.

“But they couldn’t get in as we had key locked the doors,” he said.

President of Willow Glen residents’ association, Pam Harrison, said thieves broke into people’s homes through garages and screen doors.

Residents moved to Willow Glen to be safe, she said. “None of us want to leave.”

Harrison said the operator of the home, TriCare, had installed security cameras and implemented dog patrols and Toowoomba Regional Council is considering a request to lock the gates to the home.

TriCare released a statement acknowledging the crime spree.

“Over the past few months, there have been public statements and articles regarding increased crime in the Toowoomba region. 

“TriCare recognises it’s a challenging situation, and we have been collaborating with Police and investigators to help solve some of those crimes.”

“We extend our gratitude to the local Police, and everyone determined to make Toowoomba a better and safer place for all.”

Local police say residents of retirement or gated communities could be living with a false sense of security, as they “believe there’s this extra layer of security” and “become a little complacent.”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Community care model crucial to combat death illiteracy, improve end-of-life care

Dying to Know Day – a national annual campaign that helps Australians live, grieve and die better – is calling on the Australian Government to fund community-led approaches to end-of-life care. Read More

Two Men Arrested For Kidnapping And Torturing An Elderly Man

Two men from the South Australian city of Murray Bridge have been arrested and charged with the kidnapping and assault of an elderly man. It is alleged that the incident was sparked by a social media conversation between the elderly victim and one of his attackers during the early hours of Saturday 29 February. The... Read More

74 year old man seriously injured after carjacking in SA

A South Australian woman has been arrested in connection to the carjacking and assault of a 74 year old man yesterday afternoon. Read More
Advertisement
Exit mobile version