A 15-year-old has been charged after a grandmother battling cancer was allegedly robbed in an armed home invasion in outer Brisbane.
Police allege two teenagers broke into a home on Jupiter St in Springfield Lakes in Ipswich about 3.30am on Saturday armed with knives.
Linda Bray, 62, was staying at the home with her daughter when they were woken by the armed intruders.
The grandmother is currently undergoing chemotherapy and staying with her daughter while she continues her treatment.
One of the alleged intruders held up a phone to Ms Bray’s face with the message ‘This is a robbery’.
The teenagers allegedly told the woman they were in a group of four and were holding the family hostage, including Ms Bray’s grandchildren.
“That to me rips my heart out, they’re my grandbabies,” she told 7News.
The two teens allegedly stole a vape, children’s shoes, a wallet and car keys.
However, when trying to steal the car outside the property, the teens were stopped in their tracks, as they didn’t know how to operate a manual vehicle.
Ms Bray said they managed to reverse “about a metre” before realising it was a manual car.
“There was no ‘just put into drive’ moment,” she said.
“That was the funniest part.”
Ms Bray was uninjured during the alleged home robbery.
However, her daughter Sabra said the ordeal could have been a lot worse and negatively impact her mother’s cancer treatment.
“These people could have just stopped you getting lifesaving treatment,” she said.
Queensland Police charged a 15-year-old Springfield Lakes boy on Monday with
two counts of enter premises and commit indictable offence, and one count each of enter dwelling with intent whilst armed and armed robbery.
“He has been dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act,” a police statement read.
The other alleged offender remains on the run.
Police have urged anyone with CCTV footage or information about the incident to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
