Springvale burglar caught in act after brave young girl hides in wardrobe to call 000
DETECTIVES are “incredibly proud’ of a 10-year-old girl who called triple-zero and, despite her terror, described in detail the thief ransacking her house, enabling police to catch him minutes later. HEAR THE CALL
South East
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DETECTIVES are “incredibly proud’ of a 10-year-old girl who called triple-zero and, despite her terror, described in detail the thief ransacking her house, enabling police to catch him minutes later.
Kate Luong’s family was out for half an hour getting dinner when a man used a brick to smash the window of their Springvale property.
The courageous St Anthony’s Primary student locked herself in a bedroom wardrobe about 5.30pm on May 31, and stayed on the phone with the emergency call operator as police arrived within minutes to arrest the armed crook.
On the call, Kate can be heard whispering tearfully: “They’re in the house, they broke the glass door.”
“I’m in the house. I’m in the room near the backyard. I locked myself in and I’m inside a closet.”
Asked by the operator to describe what she had seen, the terrified child kept her presence of mind.
‘DON’T HANG UP’
“Yes I saw (him). A man with black hair, he was wearing gloves, he has like a black jacket on. (He’s aged) around the mid-30s to 40s,” she said.
The triple-zero operator kept her on the line, reassuring her that police would arrive soon and reminding her to stay where she was.
“The police have already been notified, you’ve done a really good job,” he told Kate.
“Don’t hang up.”
As he kept her on the line, Kate cried as she bravely continued to whisper crucial details to the operator.
“Please come quick,” she begged him.
“I’m going to transfer you through to one of the police sergeants OK, don’t hang up OK,” he told her.
‘I SAW A MAN’
Speaking to the Leader last week, Kate said the ordeal had left her scared to be home alone.
The Grade 5 student recalled panicking, shaking and “crying a lot”.
“I heard noises coming from the backyard, I picked up the curtain and I saw a man,” she said.
“I went to lock the door and then I went and hid in the closet.”
Her proud 19-year-old brother Mike said a combination of their family’s teaching and crime TV shows had taught Kate what to do during the terrifying incident.
Mr Luong on the night of the break-in had gone out to pick up dinner and had returned to their Buckingham Avenue home to find the garage and front door open, and all the lights on.
“I saw two policemen running around the court trying to figure out which house,” he said.
“I called them to come over and they got the guy in the living room and walked out.”
He said they had lived there for about a year, but were now planning to move as a result of the break-in, and as the previous owner had also been burgled.
Dandenong crime investigation unit detective Senior Constable Steve Woodhouse said they had received the call at 5.33pm.
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He said they were on the scene in two minutes to arrest the man, allegedly armed with a knife and screwdriver.
“Seeing Kate have the presence of mind to protect herself by hiding while calling 000 makes me incredibly proud,” Sen-Constable Woodhouse said.
“It was her quick thinking and her bravery that lead to the quick arrest of the offender.
“Calling 000 in an emergency is such an important lesson to teach children. It’s a lesson that can never begin too early.”
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He said the youngster should be awarded for her quick thinking and bravery.
“Kate’s ability to calmly answer the operator’s questions in a dangerous situation that would rattle most adults is a shining example of how to call triple-0 in an emergency,” Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority spokesman Tim Madigan said.
“ESTA’s triple-0 operators work under pressure to help Victorians in need, responding to nearly 7000 calls a day, with some of these calls made by children.
“How Kate handled this situation shows how preparing children for an emergency is critical and that it can help save lives.”
A 46-year-old Springvale man was charged with aggravated burglary, possessing a controlled weapon and breaching bail.
He was remanded to face Dandenong Magistrates’ Court later this month.
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