Thieves break into Suncare Village and steal five days of food for aged care residents over Easter weekend

An Ipswich aged care home now has more food for the Easter weekend than it did before after the community rallied to help following a burglary.

Two men have been charged after an Ipswich aged-care home was broken into and had food stolen yesterday.

Owner Louisa Galagher said she was blown away by support from the community after staff at Suncare Village in Brassall found the kitchen ransacked.

Two local men, aged 21 and 25, allegedly broke into the facility and stole five days’ worth of meat for the 60 residents.

Thieves break into Suncare Village at Brassall.

Ms Galagher said she would sleep well tonight knowing her residents were fed and two men had been charged.

“We managed to get through Thursday with some sausages but Friday’s food is gone and we have almost no food to feed the residents over Easter,” Ms Galagher told The Courier-Mail.

She said Ipswich residents rallied to save Easter for her clients after reading of the alleged break-in.

“We probably have more meat now then what was stolen,” Ms Galagher said.

“It’s unbelievable.

“I’ll sleep much better tonight.”

A thief searches the kitchen cupboards in view of CCTV.

Ms Galagher said a TV that was allegedly damaged yesterday morning had also been replaced, to keep the residents entertained over the long weekend.

Police attended the scene on Friday morning and within hours raided the homes of two men who lived near the facility.

They were arrested and each charged with two counts of entering a premises and committing an indictable offence by break.

The 21-year-old was also charged with one count each of possessing a dangerous drug and possessing a utensil.

A thief tries to conceal his identity with a head covering.

Ms Galagher feared the ordeal could exacerbate mental health conditions some of her residents experienced.

“As you can imagine this is quite an upset for our tenants, some are scared for their lives due to the cook’s knives being taken as well,” Ms Galagher said.

“This break-in will undo all the progress they have made in being able to feel safe and secure in their homes.”