Joanna (Jopie) de Loryn, 91, reunited with belongings after alleged theft

A 91-year-old great grandmother who chased an alleged intruder from her home has been reunited with some of her precious belongings.

A 91-year-old great grandmother who chased an alleged intruder from her Brisbane home has been reunited with some of her precious belongings - a week before the one-year anniversary of her husband’s death.

On Friday morning, police came to the home of Joanna (Jopie) de Loryn to return her wallet and a silver plate in memory of her husband, which was gifted to her by her son.

But Ms de Loryn has now given up hope that she will get her engagement ring and other jewellery returned after it was allegedly stolen on February 12 about 8am.

Mrs de Loryn claims she saw someone stealing her handbag when she snatched the bag from the alleged intruder, with footage of the incident showing her chasing a man outside and screaming “you bastard” before retreating back inside.

Joanna "Jopie" De Loryn has had some of her property returned by police after a break-in at her Holland Park home, Friday, February 21, 2025 - Picture: Richard Walker

Police found some of her belongings when they arrested and charged 44-year-old Lamickey Anthony Pit with eight counts of fraud, three counts of burglary and two counts of receiving tainted property, at a Newstead property on Saturday.

Mrs de Loryn said she was relieved the police got the alleged offender and got her purse back.

“I’m so glad I got it back before the anniversary of Bart,” she said.

“The police came and I got my purse and a couple of little cards, but my bank cards were all gone.”

Since she was gifted the silver plate by her son, she always carries it with her, so the last few days had been difficult for her.

“I gave Mark his father’s wedding ring and he made this up for me so I could have it in my purse all the time,” she said.

“And it’s so good, because it’s a memory, Bart’s there and I am with him. It’s great. 

“It’s always in my purse. Whenever I go out, I always have him there. Since Mark gave it to me, I’m always wearing it with me.”

Copy photo of 91 year-old Joanna 'Jopie' de Loryn with her deceased husband Bart, Joanna fended off a home intruder at Holland Park West. Picture Supplied

“It means a lot to me because he was my husband for 65 years, and that’s been a long time, and he’s been a great husband, great father, great grandfather.”

But Mrs de Loryn said she feels like she has to come to terms with the fact she may never get her engagement ring back or the other jewellery including her husband’s old wallet.

“I don’t think I will get the others back,” she said.

“Wallace Bishop gave me a nice ring, so I’ll get that, but it’s not the same.

Joanna "Jopie" De Loryn has had some of her property returned by police after an alleged break-in at her Holland Park home. Picture: Richard Walker

“It’s a nice ring, a plain ring, and that’s what Bart would have bought me as a replacement.”

Since the incident, Mrs de Loryn has also been gifted security measures by Crim Safe and Eufy.

“It certainly will make me feel safer,” she said.

“I haven’t been sleeping well but that will get better, But sometimes I get a bit shaky but I have a cup of coffee and feel better.”

Originally published as Joanna (Jopie) de Loryn, 91, reunited with belongings after alleged theft