Elderly man fends off armed teens with chair

An elderly man used a chair to defend himself and his wife to force an armed trio to leave after an alleged violent home invasion last night.

Generic image of a teenage boy brandishing a knife. Thinkstock image.

UPDATE 10:30AM: AN ELDERLY man used a chair to defend himself and his wife to force an armed trio to leave after an alleged violent home invasion in Buderim.

Relative of the couple, Kenneth Swan, said the shocking ordeal happened about 6.50pm last night while the pair were having dinner. 

Three juveniles have been arrested and charged after the alleged incident that left the couple "shaken". 

Mr Swan said his brother-in-law used a chair to make sure they left his house while his wife phoned triple-0.

He said the allegedly armed trio were apprehended about 15 minutes later along Deloraine Dr, Buderim.

"My sister and her husband were having dinner when she answered a knock on the door," Mr Swan said.

"They (the trio) started off by asking them a silly question, just an excuse to get inside.

"One of them barged in with a knife but didn't really threaten it.

"That's when he (the victim) picked up the chair and forced them out."

Mr Swan said the couple, aged in their 70s, were "holding up OK".

"I saw them earlier and they just want to get back to normal," he said.

"We are safe. But people need to be more careful.

"I will be very suspicious to anyone who knocks on the door now."

He said the police did an "incredible" job at acting so quickly.

Sunshine Coast District Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Dan Coillins said the home owner did not strike anyone with the chair, simply defend himself with it. 

Police found the knife at the scene and located the trio a short time later.

The three boys, aged 13, 14 and 15, were each charged with a break and enter, stealing and two counts of attempted robbery.

 

 

EARLIER: THREE juveniles have been arrested overnight after an alleged violent home invasion where a knife was pulled on an elderly Buderim couple.

Sunshine Coast District Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Dan Coillins said the ordeal unfolded about 6.50pm when the three offenders knocked on the door.

He said a woman, aged in her 70s, answered the door and the trio asked her questions before allegedly kicking in the door. 

"They demanded keys to the victim's vehicles," Acting Sen-Sgt Collins said.

"Two of three offenders were armed with pocket knives holding out towards victims while demanding property." 

Snr Sgt Collins said one of the victims grabbed a chair to defend themselves but did not strike anyone. 

"The victims demanded the offenders leave but they continued to threaten the couple.

"The elderly man told the offenders that police had been called and the trio eventually ran off."

Police cordoned off the area and three juveniles were located arrested and charged.

"This was no doubt a very frightening incident for the elderly victims," Acting Sen-Sgt Collins said.

"I haven't spoken to the couple this morning but they were quiet shaken last night. 

"And a reminder for people of their personal security."

Deloraine Dr resident William Bronson said the street is normally quiet save for the odd "riff raff" but wasn't surprised given the current economic crisis.

"We didn't hear anything, but this sort of thing is always in the back of your mind," Mr Bronson said.

Snr Sgt Collins said there had been an increase in the amount of juveniles attempting to steal vehicles, particularly high end. 

 

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