Townsville crime: Harry Patel, 71, left trapped after break-in at Cranbrook

A man in his 70s says he’s been haunted by nightmares after an intruder broke into his Townsville home and trapped him in his bedroom. Find out more.

71-year-old Harry Patel says he feels extremely unsafe in his own home after someone broke into his property and locked him in his bedroom. Picture: Shae Beplate.

A man in his 70s says he’s been haunted by nightmares after an intruder broke into his Townsville home and trapped him in his bedroom.

Cranbrook man Harry Patel, 71, says he no longer feels safe in his own home after a person broke in on Monday night.

Police said the investigation was ongoing, and no one has been charged at this time.

Mr Patel — who has worked at the local hospital for 20 years — said he came home late from work that night and went straight to sleep.

When he woke up the next morning he found someone had locked him in his bedroom from the outside.

“Whoever broke in came through the front window and took a few things, a bum bag,” he said.

“While they were looking around, they must have moved the stopper on the lock of my bedroom door to lock me up.

“I was trapped for a while and had to get my daughter to come over and get me out.”

Mr Patel said he locks his bedroom from the outside to keep it secure when he’s at work.

“I was a prisoner in my own home,” he said.

“I feel extremely unsafe here.

“My property has been broken into about six times already. I don’t know what to do.

“I’ve been having nightmares. I feel like I need to build a fortress for myself to feel safe.”

The 71-year-old said he already had security lights and bolted doors but that had not seemed to deter intruders.

He was disappointed to learn he wasn’t able to get support to beef-up his home security through a new $15m initiative being trialled in Townsville because he was still working.

The state government is providing eligible seniors with home security improvements, such as strong window locks and shutters and CCTV under the new trial.

To qualify, you need to be aged 60 or over, a current Pensioner Concession Card holder, unable to afford the works themselves, and unable to receive similar assistance through government programs.

For more information call 13 QGOV (137468) or visit www.chde.qld.gov.au/about/initiatives/helping-seniors-secure-their-homes

Originally published as Townsville crime: Harry Patel, 71, left trapped after break-in at Cranbrook