A family friend of an 87-year-old-man and vulnerable daughter tied up in their own home in Portadown this week has condemned the attack as “utterly appalling”.
Three masked men forced entry to the pensioner’s home on the Derrylettiff Road as he was reading a book on Sunday night.
They tied the man’s hands up and removed a sim card from one mobile phone and breaking another before ransacking a number of rooms.
Upper Bann MLA Jonathan Buckley said it is disgraceful that anyone would target such a vulnerable member of the community but that it was now “vital that those responsible are brought to justice”.
“I have known this gentleman and his wider family for many years he is 87-years-old and well respected members of the community,” said Mr Buckley.
“This attack is utterly appalling and I know that everyone in the local area will be disturbed by what has occurred.”
He added: “The people behind this burglary are the lowest of the low and it is despicable that they have targeted vulnerable people who are trying to go about their daily lives peacefully.
“I hope that these criminals are arrested and swiftly brought to justice for their actions.
“Ultimately, the issue of burglaries is a cause for major concern and quite a number of constituents have been in touch with me to sympathise and state that they are worried about becoming victims of such crime.
“I would encourage anyone with information relating to this attack to bring it forward to police.”
The three men subsequently made off with a sum of cash.
Detective Constable Joanne Jackson said: “This despicable crime has left an older man and his daughter extremely shaken and we are appealing to anyone with information to please get in touch with us.
“Witnesses can call 101, quoting reference 1226 25/11/18.”
