TWO men who robbed an 81-year-old woman in her Rathcoole home last week have been branded "cowards."
The pensioner was left badly shaken after the men broke into her Derrycoole Way home at around 9pm last Tuesday (January 26).
It is understood that the intruders forced the front door of the property and told the woman to sit down and keep quiet a
s they searched the house. They made off with a sum of cash.
The victim wasn’t physically injured, but was left badly shaken by her ordeal.
One of the intruders is described as aged in his 20s or early 30s, 6ft tall, of a thin build with dark hair. He was wearing a green jacket and green combat-style trousers and had a mask covering his mouth and nose.
The other man was said to be around 5ft 9ins tall, of a thinner build and was wearing jeans.
The burglary came just days after a sickening robbery at the home of a disabled 86-year-old woman in the Harmin area of Glengormley.
Macedon councillor Billy Webb described the burglars as “thugs” and said that he would be raising the issue of attacks on the elderly with the borough’s most senior police officer.
“This intrusion into an elderly person’s house was a cowardly attack on her. These thugs are to be condemned for stealing money from a vulnerable lady. There have been similar attacks within the last few weeks and I will be raising this with the District Commander at the next District Policing Partnership meeting,” he commented.
Detectives investigating the burglary are keen to speak to anyone who noticed any suspicious activity in the area. They can be contacted at Newtownabbey CID on 0845 600 8000. Alternatively, information can also be passed on anonymously via the freephone Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.
Meanwhile, the PSNI this week relaunched the QuickCheck freephone scheme which aims to tackle the issue of bogus and distraction callers.
The 24-hour freephone service, which is operated in partnership with ntl:Telewest Business and Fold Telecare, enables householders to challenge and independently verify the identity of anyone calling at their door.
“Bogus callers depend on the good nature and good will of others. They tend to target the more vulnerable members of our society and in particular, senior citizens. Everyone should be cautious of unexpected callers at their home. Our advice is very straightforward,” said Assistant Chief Constable, Will Kerr.
“Ask callers for proof of identity. Genuine tradesmen should carry a photographic identification card. Check this carefully. If you are unsure, telephone QuickCheck on 0800 013 22 90. If there is anything suspicious the trained operator will contact the police directly,” he added.
