AN 89-year-old ex-servicewoman lost thousands of dollars of her holiday savings in a robbery at South Kempsey on Sunday.
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Investigators have been told the woman was saving the moneyso she could take her son on holiday.
It was in her handbag when it was stolen from inside her home while she was outside.
Police said about 5pm on Sunday the woman was watering the front yard of her home on Lachlan St with her 53-year-old son when a man broke into the house through a back door.
The woman went to go back inside the house via a rear sunroom when she saw a man run out with her handbag.
He met up with another man waiting in a neighbouring yard and the pair fled towards Lachlan St.
Police were called to the scene and conducted a search of the area but were unable to locate the men.
A crime scene was established and the house was examined by forensic officers.
The bag is described as being a distinctive material bag with floral patterns and beads sewn on the outside.
It also contained two purses.
The woman, who is a returned ex-servicewoman, was extremely distraught over the incident and unable to provide police with a description of the men.
Mid North Coast Local Area Command duty officer Detective Inspector Shane Cribb said it was a particularly despicable crime.
“No one deserves to be robbed and have their property stolen but when it is an elderly woman who has given service to her country then it is especially distressing,” DCI Cribb said.
“Someone out there in the community knows who has perpetrated this crime, so we need the assistance of the public.
“If you see someone spending an unusually large amount of money in a retail store or club or licensed premises that you suspect is not theirs then you should contact the police.”
DCI Cribb said police would be examining whether this was a random attack or whether the victim was specifically targeted by the robbers.
Anyone who saw the men or any suspicious activity in the vicinity of Lachlan St is asked to contact Kempsey Police on 6561 6199 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Any information given will be treated in the strictest confidence.
