Mother's Chilling Discovery on Security Footage
A young Perth mother has described her terror after discovering a mallet-wielding intruder had moved silently through her family home, coming within metres of where she and her four-year-old son slept soundly. Huong, the Ballajura resident, only realised the extent of the invasion when she reviewed security camera footage while searching for her missing possessions.
"I'm very scared because I don't know when he went into the room because I fell asleep," Huong told 7NEWS, her voice filled with emotion. "I'm very panicked because if I had woken up, maybe he would have attacked me."
Night of Terror in Ballajura Home
The home invasion occurred early Thursday morning at the Illawarra Crescent property in Ballajura, located in Perth's northern suburbs. The unidentified man initially entered through an open back door, helping himself to a phone before committing an even more brazen act.
Not satisfied with his initial theft, the intruder returned to the property and entered a bedroom to steal a bag while Huong and her young child remained asleep just metres away. The entire ordeal unfolded without either victim waking, leaving them completely unaware of the danger that had been so close.
Police Investigation Underway
Forensic officers attended the mother's home on Friday, conducting a thorough examination of the scene. They photographed evidence and dusted for fingerprints in hopes of identifying the perpetrator.
In a concerning development, police believe the same man may be responsible for stealing a bicycle from a neighbour's property the previous night. Detectives are continuing their search for the intruder as concern grows in the local community.
The incident highlights a worrying trend in the suburb, where burglaries have increased compared to last year to almost one per week. This contrasts with broader Perth crime statistics, which show decreases in similar offences across the metropolitan area.
Huong's experience serves as a stark reminder to residents about home security, particularly the importance of ensuring doors and windows are secured overnight. The mother continues to process the psychological impact of knowing an armed stranger stood so close to her sleeping child.
