News

Daylight home invasion

SHOCKED that an elderly couple were robbed in their own home at Condell Park on Monday afternoon, some shoppers told the Torch they had considered the area “safe”.

A 77-year-old man sitting on the front verandah of his Simmat Avenue home, was approached by three men at 2.10pm, one of whom had a knife.
Two of the men took him inside and stole jewellery from a safe before fleeing with the third man who was waiting outside.
The trio were last seen heading south towards Townsend Street before turning left in the direction of Edgar Street.
Neither the man or his 77-year-old wife, who was also home at the time of the robbery, were hurt.
Admitting news of the robbery had left her shaken, Debbie Stone, who has worked at the pharmacy for 13 years, said it was a “big surprise”.
“Especially in broad daylight,” she said.
“People walk up and down this street all the time.”
Another long-time resident, Dimitrios Voukidis said that while it was a serious crime, the area was “normally quiet”.
However several other shoppers and residents who did not want to be identified, said community safety in the area was an ongoing concern and called for more police action.
“It’s disgusting that something like this happened in broad daylight,” said one man.
“It used to be quiet here but it’s not like it used to be.”
Another woman said she wasn’t surprised.
“I was saying the other day it was too quiet,” she said.
“Things happen here all the time.”
Officers from Bankstown Police Area Command investigating the incident, described three men they believe can help with inquiries as being of Pacific Islander/Maori in appearance and wearing hooded jumpers.
Anyone who may have been in the area of Simmat Avenue or Townsend Avenue between 2pm to 2.20pm on the day of the robbery or who may have CCTV or dash-cam vision, is asked to contact Bankstown Police on 9783 2199 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.