A number of our local seniors have been subjected to violent, senseless and malicious attacks in the past week, sparking a police warning for our aged residents to remain on a high safety alert.
Several aggressive and horrifying home invasions, an assault and daylight attack have been reported to the police by our seniors recently, who are now urging residents, young and old, to maintain vigilance.
In a shocking spike of assault incidents, police are appealing to the community for information to resolve the crimes.
In one such case, a 84-year-old man fought off two armed men who broke into his Port Macquarie home on Saturday.
About 2am on November 10, an 84-year-old man was asleep in the bedroom of his Cornwallis Close home.
Two men entered the home armed with a hammer and metal pole.
Inside the home one man also picked up a kitchen knife and entered the elderly man’s bedroom.
The pair demanded money, and the elderly man directed the offenders towards his wallet on a nearby chest of drawers.
As the man attempted to get out of bed he was pushed down by one man and struck to the arms with the pole.
The elderly man again attempted to get up and became involved in a fight with the other man, who was armed with the knife and hammer.
They both fell to the floor and the man was able to break the blade off the knife.
As the offender tried to strike him with the hammer, the elderly man stabbed the offender in the stomach area.
He then disarmed the offender with the pole and used it to defend himself. The offenders were chased from the home with only the man’s wallet.
The elderly man attended a nearby home and emergency services were contacted.
He was treated at the scene and later taken to Port Macquarie Base Hospital for treatment to cuts to his head and leg.
Police from Mid North Coast Local Area Command (MNCLAC) established a crime scene and searched the area.
The offender’s are described as both having heavy builds, one very tall at almost 205cm, whilst the second was shorter.
Both wore dark hooded jumpers and had their faces concealed.
Police are also conducting inquiries after an elderly woman was assaulted during a home invasion on Thursday, November 8.
The 91-year-old woman was confronted by two men in the lounge room of her home unit at an aged care facility on Boronia Street, Port Macquarie, about 3pm on November 7.
The pair stole cash before running out the back door.
The victim was pushed by one of the offenders during the incident; however, she did not fall to the ground nor was she injured.
Police from MNCLAC, Forensic Services Group and Dog Unit responded to the incident.
A crime scene was secured and examined.
The harassment of our aged community does not end there.
About 10.30pm on Friday, November 2 unknown offenders committed a home invasion on a home on the Pacific Highway at South Kempsey.
The 77-year-old old male occupant and his 60-year-old wife were allegedly threatened with long sharpened pieces of wood (tomato stakes) whilst their premises were ransacked.
Cash, mobile phones and their Citroen motor vehicle was stolen.
The five male offenders were described as being of aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander appearance, 170-175cm of thin build.
The female was described as being of aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander appearance, 155-160cm of thin build.
The Citroen was located on the Sunday burnt out in bushland in South Kempsey.
It’s not just in homes that our aged are being targeted.
About 10am on Sunday, November 4 a 72-year-old woman was walking from her motor vehicle towards the church in Leith Street, Kempsey when she was pushed from behind and her handbag stolen from the seat of her walking frame.
The unknown offender is described as being an 18 year old male of aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander appearance of a thin build about 165cm (5’5”) tall unshaven, wearing a beanie, white hoodie, blue jeans, and white joggers riding a red BMX.
The male rode off towards Gordon Nixon Ave through a vacant block.
Anyone with information about these incidents should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://www1.police.nsw.gov.au/.
