Elderly residents of an aged care facility will be on high alert after a vandal broke in stealing a new car and cash from a locked safe.
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Today's early morning raid has only heightened concern at Rocky Ridge Aged Care Facility following an incident which saw an intruder attempting to steal from a resident of the home just last week.
Elizabeth O'Connor, the manager of Australian Regional and Remote Community Services, said the break-in occurred at around 3am despite staff and 25 residents on site.
"To pick on an aged care facility is a total disrespect for the impact," she said.
"This is a not-for-profit aged care service provider and money spent remedying and upgrading is money that can't be spent on direct resources."
Ms O'Connor said she was called into the home, about three kilometres from the town centre, at around 7am when two staff beginning their shift noticed the offices in disaray.
Louvre window slats had been removed for access into the offices, screens had been slashed, the locked safe had been cleared of hundreds of dollars and car keys had been stolen.
In addition to lost hours, the facility is looking at having to replace a brand new white Toyota Camry, used by staff to take elderly people to appointments.
Residents of the home, asleep in their rooms, were luckily not targeted during the raid.
"I feel violated for the sake of the residents," Ms O'Connor said, "this is their home."
"Stealing off old people, let alone respected community elders, is abhorrent behavior."
"It is a violation of their rights."
Ms O'Connor said additional money will have to be spent on extra security measures, replacements and repairs.
Katherine Police were called to the scene earlier this morning to take evidence.
Police have been contacted for further information.
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