NT woman pleads for police to catch Alice Springs home invaders

As Raelene McEllister, 82, recovered from lifesaving surgery, bandits raided her home and stole ‘priceless’ possessions. Read her appeal to police.

Alice Springs resident Raelene McEllister, 82, was forced to undergo emergency surgery if she wanted to see Christmas.

But on Boxing Day, as Ms McEllister went “under the knife”, a group of criminals decided to exploit her empty home.

The group broke through her window and stole thousands of dollars’ worth of medication, jewellery and wine.

Ms McEllister, who was recovering from lifesaving surgery, was informed of the break-in by a friend who had checked in on her home.

“I felt really down and really helpless – it’s frightening and scary,” she said.

“It could have been worse if I had been there, I might have been hurt.”

An Alice Springs resident of 60 years, Ms McEllister said it “broke” her heart to see the rise of crime in her beloved town.

“It breaks my heart and I’m angry and I’m scared – I wouldn’t go out at night anymore here, that’s for sure,” she said.

“My only hope is that (the police) catch the bastards.”

Raelene McEllister, 82, was undergoing lifesaving surgery when her home was broken into.

Ms McEllister’s son, Bruce, confirmed it was the latest invasion, not the first.

“Years past there’s been break-ins, but the response was always thorough – police would always arrive, do an inspection, takes notes,” he said.

“They didn’t (on this occasion) even though a police report was filed.

“I think they’re overwhelmed, there’s so much going on around here now that a home invasion worth thousands of dollars can’t even make the cut for an investigation.”

Ms McEllister’s ordeal joins a series of heartbreaking stories this festive season, as a flurry of home invasions across the Territory terrorise locals.

In Tennant Creek, Member for Barkly Steve Edgington penned an 1800-word letter to Chief Minister Eva Lawler detailing the impact that crime was having on his constituents.

In Katherine, a string of home invasions were revealed online by locals.

Ms McEllister said she joined the ranks of Territorians whose “Christmas was ruined” thanks to criminal activity.

“My Christmas was ruined, my New Year’s gone – and it’s hurt my family because they won’t have Christmas until I’ve recovered and this is all past us.”

NT Police was approached for comment.