Kids praised for bravery after finding man hiding under home

Two children, aged five and 10, have been praised for their bravery after finding a man police were searching for through suburban back yards. Read their remarkable story.

Poppy Williams, 5, and Harry Littlejohn, 10, helped police find a man hiding in their Boondall street. Picture: Michelle Smith

TWO young children have been praised for their bravery after helping police who were searching for a man through suburban back yards.

The children, aged five and 10, found the man hiding under a Brisbane North house just as police were about to leave the scene, and ignored his signal to stay quiet.

They also found the man’s discarded shirt.

Poppy Williams and Harry Littlejohn helped police find a man hiding in their Boondall street. Picture: Michelle Smith

Poppy Williams and her older neighbour Harry Littlejohn, who’s keen to be a police officer, were both inside their respective houses in Lyndhurst Rd, Boondall when the drama unfolded about 11am on Tuesday.

They and their mothers joined other neighbours in the street after noticing a police motorcycle drive by.

Harry’s mum Liz said, “The officer asked if we had seen anyone in the area because there were reports of a man jumping into back yards. So we checked our yard.

“The officer said if you see him ring triple-0. Harry’s interest got piqued. He ran inside to get a torch and starting searching. Another officer popped his head over the back fence which also got Harry excited.

“We’re out the front and police are everywhere. Harry ran around and told neighbours to keep an eye out for people jumping into their yards.

“Harry then asked Fleur (Poppy’s mum) if she’d checked her yard and she had, but she’d only checked one side.

“So he and Poppy went around there. They saw a man (in the cavity under the low-set house) who told them to be quiet. Harry ran up to Fleur and said ‘he’s under your house’.”

Poppy Williams and Harry Littlejohn show where they found a man hiding under Poppy’s home at Boondall. Picture: Michelle Smith

Fleur Williams said, “There was a police van out in the street and the officers were getting in. Harry raced out into the middle of the road and put his arms up in the air and yelled ‘he’s here’.

“The two policeman jumped out of the van and ran down the side of my house, but the man had fled.

“Apparently the guy had been crouched under there with no shirt on. He had his finger on his mouth telling them ‘shh’, to be quiet.”

After the police left to follow another lead, Harry showed Mrs Williams where they’d found the man, and that’s when he discovered the shirt. The police were called and returned to bag the evidence.

Poppy Williams and Harry Littlejohn found a man hiding here (under Poppy's home) at Boondall. Picture: Michelle Smith

“That officer (Sergeant Stephen Male from Boondall Police) was amazing,” Mrs Williams said.

“He saw how shaken up the kids were and gave them his card, reassuring them that he’s there if they need him.”

Sgt Male said, “They (the children) were very brave and knew what they were seeing wasn’t right and ran to find a responsible adult to tell them.

“I’m very proud of what they did.”

Miss Littlejohn said Harry, however, kept saying he wished he’d done things differently.

“He said I would have dragged Poppy away so she didn’t see him (the man). I would have told the man okay and then run.

“He’s grown up with Daisy (Poppy’s sister) and Poppy and is very protective of them.”

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Both mums praised Boondall Police for their response and their care for the children.

“The police were amazing – and very quick to act. They have reassured our kids that all is going to be all right,” Mrs Williams said.

“I got a phone call from Sgt Male about 8am (the next day) wanting to check on the kids and make sure they’re okay. He asked if I minded if they came around and had a chat to them.”

Sgt Male turned up with two officers who showed the children their car, the siren and let them speak to people in the control room.

Boondall Police officers Senior Constable Ben Foley and Senior Constable Nathan Jones visited children in Lyndhurst Rd, Boondall a day after a man was found hiding under one of their houses. They are with (from left) Eadie Maddock, Daisy and Poppy Williams, Harry Littlejohn and Finn Maddock.

Harry also received a police cap which his mum said has not come off his head.

“He tried to sleep with it last night but said it was too uncomfortable,” Miss Littlejohn said.

“He’s walking around with his police hat and a little vest loaded up like a police officer.”

Mrs Williams said all their neighbours in the immediate area were also amazing.

“We have all banded together to support each other. So let’s all be kind to each other and keep supporting your neighbours and our police.”

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A Boondall Police spokesman said a man had been seen by a number of Boondall residents jumping fences and running into yards in the area on Tuesday.

“Many of the residents were home as a result of the COVID-19 restrictions and they provided police with additional information regarding the description of the alleged offender and his location,” the spokesman said.

“The assistance provided to the police by the local community was greatly appreciated.”

Police arrested a 28-year-old man following the incident at Boondall.