IN the dead of night, as Helen Pitcher was sleeping in bed, someone crept up beside her and stole her mobile phone from her bedside table.
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The terrifying break-in occurred when she was helpless, alone and in a world of silence.
Mrs Pitcher, who was born deaf, had her cochlear implant unplugged, so she says she was vulnerable and exposed.
It was only in the morning when she saw something out of place on her kitchen table that she realised something had happened.
“I looked at the table and I saw my wallet open on the table and everything was out of it,” she said.
“My cash was gone, my debit card was gone.”
The brazen thief not only took $25 out of her wallet, but also her laptop, store loyalty cards and even a DVD of the latest Star Wars movie she had bought as a present for her son.
But Mrs Pitcher was most upset about losing her mobile phone, which was her connection to the outside world.
“That phone was my lifeline and communication with my family, friends and community,” she said.
“I’ve lost the ability to do all you take for granted – talk to friends and hear music.”
Technology has allowed Mrs Pitcher to sync her mobile phone, via Bluetooth, to her cochlear implant to allow her to hear on the phone.
“You are welcome to the cash, you are welcome to the loyalty cards, but to take a phone and laptop from a deaf woman was more than unkind,” she said.
The College Road resident found the back door of her home ajar in the morning. She said the break-in left her feeling very vulnerable.
“I have fought discrimination all my life, and a phone had made me equal,” she said.
Mrs Pitcher does have a message for the thief.
“I hold no anger or animosity towards you, only sadness that you felt driven to do such an act,” she said.
“Next time you feel the need to steal, put yourself in the shoes of your victim and ask yourself why you need to steal and seek help.”
Chifley local area command Senior Constable Sue Rose said Mrs Pitcher’s home was broken into some time between 9.45pm on April 19 and 7am the next day.
At this stage, the matter is still under investigation and the offender remains unknown.
Senior Constable Rose added that there had been a number of break-ins at homes in West Bathurst this week, but does not believe they are related to the one on College Road.
Most of the West Bathurst break-ins occurred late at night or in the early hours of the morning.
Senior Constable Rose reminded residents to keep their home secure.
