Man charged after brave 91yo chases away alleged home invader

A 91-year-old great grandmother says she is “all shook up again” after news of an arrest over an alleged burglary while she was home. The accused’s case has been mentioned in court.

A 44-year-old man charged after a 91-year-old great grandmother chased an alleged intruder from her Brisbane home last week has had his case mentioned in court.

Joanna (Jopie) de Loryn was in her Holland Park West home on Wednesday morning about 8am when she claims she saw someone trying to steal her handbag.

Lamickey Anthony Pitt had his case briefly mentioned in court on Monday.

Mrs De Loryn said she snatched the bag from the man, with footage of the incident showing her chasing a man outside and screaming “you bastard” before retreating back inside.

Investigations led police to attend a Newstead address on Saturday afternoon, where a 44-year-old man was taken into custody.

Lamickey Anthony Pitt was charged with eight counts of fraud, three counts of burglary and two counts of receiving tainted property, and had his case briefly mentioned in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday.

He did not appear or apply for bail with solicitor Nick Hanly, of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal, saying Pitt was on a return to prison warrant.

The elderly woman has chased an alleged intruder outside her home. Picture: Facebook

“He’s having withdrawal symptoms and currently being seen by a nurse,” Mr Hanly told Acting Magistrate David Shepherd, who had asked why Pitt couldn’t come into the court room.

The matter was adjourned to March 19.

Mrs de Loryn on Monday told The Courier-Mail she was relieved the police found the alleged offender.

“I’m still very very shaky, because I didn’t know until this morning (of the arrest),” she said.

“So we just have to wait and see what happens and what’s going on with police and the investigation.”

Joanna de Loryn at her Holland Park West home last week. Picture: Liam Kidston

Mrs de Loryn said police had informed her that her wallet and some jewellery had been found, which she hoped included her engagement ring.

“We’ll have to find out but we won’t know until the police brings it out and shows us,” she said.

Mrs de Loryn said Sunday night was the first good sleep she’d had since the incident.

“I was pretty good because I had a real good night sleep and I thought that’s good now,” she said.

Mrs de Loryn said she was feeling “all shook up again” since the news of the arrest.

Last week Mrs de Loryn told The Courier-Mail she was heartbroken after prized possessions were allegedly taken from her including her engagement ring and her deceased husband’s old wallet.

Joanna 'Jopie' de Loryn with her deceased husband Bart. Picture Supplied

Her husband Bart died on February 28, 2024.

“I’m shaken because I have had all the sentimental things stolen from me,” she said.

“The rings Bart bought me, those are things you’ll never get back. That’s the hardest part of it.

“I can go and buy myself another ring but it’s not the same, I don’t want to do that.”