Brazen robber won't force us from our home, says family

The family refuse to be bullied out of their home. Photo / APN

A family targeted by a brazen home invader who tied up a teenage girl before stealing from the house say they won't let the terrifying ordeal bully them from their home.

Niamh McMahon's 19-year-old daughter woke to find the intruder in their Victoria Ave, Remuera, house early last Thursday morning.

"She's not good. She's not in a good space at all," Ms McMahon said. "You know, a couple of days later the reality starts to sink in. The trauma starts to sink in as well ... but she's working through the issues."

Victim Support had offered help and her daughter knew they were there for her if she needed them, Ms McMahon said last night.

Police say they are concerned with how brazen the carefully planned raid was and have asked residents to check their security.

The family were together last night watching Rugby World Cup matches on television and having dinner. They are determined the home invader will not beat them.

"We're adamant about that. We do have a holiday home ... but we've actually made the decision to stay put and come to terms with it here. We're not going to be bullied out of our house and bullied out of our safe space," she said.

The rest of the family were coping "as best we can".

Her daughter alerted her family after the intruder left on a green mountain bike he'd taken from the property. He also took a laptop, jewellery and other personal items.

The family have been overwhelmed with offers of support.

"It's been phenomenal. I guess an event like this sort of brings people out and you see the good in people. I've personally been humbled from the texts, the phone calls and the emails. It's been a welcome distraction."

Ms McMahon has "high hopes they'll crack this thing very promptly" and praised the way investigators had worked on the case.

It's believed the intruder may have entered the property by climbing over a back fence. The front of the property can only be accessed through a gate with a coded lock and has a high fence.

The suspect is described as being tall, at least 2m, aged between 30 and 50, and of slim, athletic build.

He was wearing green or brown cargo pants, a black, hooded sweatshirt and a purple patterned bandanna over his face and left on a green mountain bike stolen from the property.

Anyone with information should call Glen Innes CIB on 09-524-1920 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.