Thieves ransack 80-year-old’s home

Investigating officers have appealed for anyone with information about the burglary at the house on Ballymena Road to come forward.

Shortly after 7.30pm on Thursday evening, December 18, police responded to an emergency call from a member of the public reporting suspicious activity in the area.

On arrival, officers discovered that the house was unoccupied, as the 80-year-old owner was staying with relatives.

Entry had been gained through a small window and rooms had been ransacked, but police say it is unclear at this stage whether or not anything was taken.

It is understood that a black coloured three-door Mercedes car may have been involved in the incident, as men were seen leaving the property and making off in the vehicle.

Ballyclare PUP representative, Scott McDowell condemned the incident as “a vile and disgusting act carried out on a vulnerable member of the community” and urged anyone who noticed any suspicious activity in the area to contact the police.

Investigating officers have appealed for anyone with information about the burglary to contact them at Newtownabbey Station on 101 or to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.