The community has rallied behind an elderly Wagga woman who was robbed three times in one month.
Sharon Crofts, 84, had her Turvey Park home broken into twice in a single week while she slept.
During the third invasion late last week, a juvenile criminal climbed through her bedroom window about midnight and made eye contact with her before fleeing.
Her daughter, Shannon, told The Daily Advertiser of her mother’s devastation, fear and loss of happiness.
“They’ve not only robbed her home, but they’ve robbed her of her safety and her smile,” she said.
“She’s worked her whole life, she’s had a tough life and she deserves peace and respect.
“It’s just not fair to her.”
The family were inundated with suggestions to install security measures in Ms Crofts home, but they simply couldn’t afford it.
However, in a stunning turn of events – several residents approached Shannon and offered to purchase and install camera systems and alarms at her mother’s property.
“We asked around and the next thing we had people offering to protect her house and pay for anti-burglar devices,” she said.
“It’s really humbling to see community spirit is very much alive.”
Ms Crofts home has since been fitted with an alarm system to deter would-be intruders from forcibly entering the home.
One of the men who helped make it possible, Paul Simpson, told The Daily Advertiser on Facebook that the community had to unite against the crime wave.
It follows a spate of crime that has seen elderly and vulnerable Wagga residents targeted.
Retirees in aged care villages were reportedly “living in fear” after becoming the focus of teen crime.
It culminated in Wagga police officers holding a meeting at The Haven retirement village to reassure scared residents.
Ten key arrests in the last three weeks have slowed the property crime scourge, but more than three homes, on average, are still being robbed a day.
Wagga duty officer Inspector Peter Robertson said the break-ins have emphasised the desperation of the perpetrators.
“Unfortunately these people are just grubs who will target the elderly and the more vulnerable people,” he said.
“We urge the neighbours to help out and protect their neighbours and other residents in their community.
“Somebody knows who is doing this - give them up and let us give the protection the elderly deserve.”
Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 666 or Wagga police on 6922 2659.
