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Pensioners targeted in robberies Pensioners targeted in robberies
(20 minutes later)
Four elderly pensioners have been attacked in their homes in separate robberies in County Antrim. Five elderly pensioners have been attacked in their homes in separate robberies in County Antrim.
Four men broke into the house of a 74-year-old woman at Tansy Road, Ballinderry, and stole £1500 worth of jewellery on Monday at about 1700 GMT.Four men broke into the house of a 74-year-old woman at Tansy Road, Ballinderry, and stole £1500 worth of jewellery on Monday at about 1700 GMT.
A short time later, four men forced their way into the home of a 91-year-old woman at Glenavy Road, Crumlin. They took money and jewellery.A short time later, four men forced their way into the home of a 91-year-old woman at Glenavy Road, Crumlin. They took money and jewellery.
Another man, aged 68, was robbed at his home on the Belfast Road in Crumlin. Two other pensioners were also robbed in separate incidents in Crumlin.
Two masked men one armed with a gun, used a sledgehammer to force their way into his home An 86-year-old man was robbed when two men entered his house on Leesonstow Road in Crumlin at about 1830 BST on Monday.
The victim was pushed onto the sofa and his wallet was taken from him.
He said the robbers were smartly dressed.
Also in Crumlin, a man aged 68 was robbed at his home on the Belfast Road.
Two masked men, one armed with a gun, used a sledgehammer to force their way in.
The incident took place at about 2215 BST on Monday. The man was forced to open a safe and money was taken.The incident took place at about 2215 BST on Monday. The man was forced to open a safe and money was taken.
There can be no doubt that this gang will attack more elderly people unless they are stopped and put away where they belong Patricia LewsleySDLPThere can be no doubt that this gang will attack more elderly people unless they are stopped and put away where they belong Patricia LewsleySDLP
The men then forced the man into the rear of his car and drove off, abandoning him about two miles away. The victim suffered cuts and bruises.The men then forced the man into the rear of his car and drove off, abandoning him about two miles away. The victim suffered cuts and bruises.
Earlier in Glengormley, four youths took an 81-year-old man's Christmas money.Earlier in Glengormley, four youths took an 81-year-old man's Christmas money.
The four young men broke into the back of his home at about 1830 GMT.The four young men broke into the back of his home at about 1830 GMT.
They ransacked the home and made off with his money.They ransacked the home and made off with his money.
In all three cases, the robbers' victims were left badly shaken. The 74-year-old woman was bruised to her wrists after she grabbed during the robbery. In all cases, the robbers' victims were left badly shaken. The 74-year-old woman was bruised to her wrists after she grabbed during the robbery.
Police are investigating a possible link between the robberies in Ballinderry and Lisburn.Police are investigating a possible link between the robberies in Ballinderry and Lisburn.
The gang who broke into the house in Ballinderry wore jumpers pulled up to cover their faces and may have had southern accents.The gang who broke into the house in Ballinderry wore jumpers pulled up to cover their faces and may have had southern accents.
One of the burglars who broke into the pensioner's home in Crumlin is described as being between 18-20 years of age, about 5ft 6in tall, with blue eyes, and wearing dark coloured clothing and a coloured hat.
FearFear
June Mallon, from the Newtownabbey Senior Citizens Forum, called for help so that elderly people could live without fear.June Mallon, from the Newtownabbey Senior Citizens Forum, called for help so that elderly people could live without fear.
"There isn't anything there to stop them doing it," she said."There isn't anything there to stop them doing it," she said.
"There is no fear. The rights are all on the side of the law breaker. We have no rights. We have no right to live without fear.""There is no fear. The rights are all on the side of the law breaker. We have no rights. We have no right to live without fear."
Patricia Lewsley, SDLP, said: "Anyone who can shed any light on this horrific attack must go to the police now.Patricia Lewsley, SDLP, said: "Anyone who can shed any light on this horrific attack must go to the police now.
"For there can be no doubt that this gang will attack more elderly people unless they are stopped and put away where they belong.""For there can be no doubt that this gang will attack more elderly people unless they are stopped and put away where they belong."
Last week, two sisters in their 80s were robbed in their south Belfast home by a four-strong gang, two of whom were armed with screwdrivers.Last week, two sisters in their 80s were robbed in their south Belfast home by a four-strong gang, two of whom were armed with screwdrivers.
In a separate incident, an 84-year-old man was beaten and robbed at his house near Newry.In a separate incident, an 84-year-old man was beaten and robbed at his house near Newry.