A deaf 94-year-old in northern NSW had his car stolen and set alight and his house ransacked on several occasions, allegedly by the same youth criminals.
Walgett man Barry McKenzie’s car was stolen in January and discovered by police dumped and burnt out, his daughter-in-law Jenny McKenzie told 2GB’s Ben Fordham.
Ms McKenzie said her father-in-law had repeatedly been targeted by youth offenders whose identity was allegedly known to “everyone in town”.
Ms McKenzie said she was first alerted to an incident at her father-in-law’s house by his alarm system in December.
Her father’s car was found and police arrested someone for that alleged offence but Ms McKenzie said the accused was allowed out on bail.
The same alleged thief again targeted the house in January while Mr McKenzie slept.
His phone, car keys, and wallet had been stolen from his bedroom, along with his prized car.
When the car was discovered burnt out in a paddock, Mr McKenzie wanted to retrieve its customised number plate because it belonged to his late wife, who died two years before.
“I think that was the most upsetting thing for him, trying to get that number plate off the car,” Ms McKenzie told 2GB.
Mr McKenzie’s home was allegedly broken into again weeks later, with the accused entering his house through the bathroom window.
Ms McKenzie said this prompted a two-night police stakeout of the home, which eventually resulted in the arrest of the alleged burglar.
Ms McKenzie said the situation had calmed down and the alleged thief had been refused bail by a local magistrate.
Her father has “been here nearly all his life and he has so much respect in the community”, Ms McKenzie said.
She said the community in Walgett were outraged over the allegations.
Mr McKenzie was named Sportsperson of the Year in this year’s Australia Day Awards.
