A crazy thief ransacked a home in Springvale while a 10-year-old girl was home alone, the Herald Sun reported. Hiding in the closet, she bravely called, Kate Luong, a student at St Anthony Elementary School, and on May 31, around 05:30, Kate's family went out to buy dinner for half an hour, during which time she made a brave call to the police. A man smashed the window with a brick. Kate locked herself in the bedroom closet, called the police and kept talking to the operator while the police arrived home and arrested the gunman.
Kate could be heard crying over the phone. "they were in the house, and they broke the glass door. I was in the house, I was in the room near the backyard, and I locked myself in it, hiding in a closet. "
When asked by the operator about what he saw, Kate kept his head clear.
"Yes, I saw (him). A man with black hair, wearing gloves and a black coat, aged between 30 and 40. "
The 000 operator remained on the phone with Kate, assuring her that the police would arrive soon and reminding her to stay where she was.
"We've notified the police," the operator said. "you're doing very well. Don't hang up."
In the process, Kate continued to weep and bravely convey important information to the operator. "Please come quickly," she pleaded.
The operator said, "I will lend you to one of our police officers. Will you hold on?"
In an interview with < Leader > last week, Kate said it had made her afraid to stay at home alone. The fifth grader recalled that she was in a panic, trembling and crying for a long time.
"I heard a noise in the backyard. I opened the curtains and saw a man. I locked the door and hid in the closet."
Kate19's older brother, Mike, said the education of his family and the crime show on television had taught Kate how to react in such situations.
On the day of the burglary, Mike also went out with his family to buy dinner. When he returned to his home in Buckingham Avenue, he found the parking garage and doors open and the lights on. "I saw two policemen running around trying to figure out which house it was. I called them in. They caught the man in the living room and took him out."
Mike said his family had been living here for almost a year, but they were already planning to move because previous owners had been burglarized, and now they are in the process of moving out.
Dandenong Crime Bureau police officer Steve Woodhouse said they received a call at 05:33.
Woodhouse said they arrived within two minutes to arrest the gunman with a knife and screwdriver.
"I'm really proud to see Kate stay awake and hide from the police," Woodhouse said. It was her quick reaction and brave response that made the prisoner arrested so quickly. Reporting to the police in times of emergency is an important lesson to teach your child. This lesson should be better in the morning. "
He pointed out that the young girl should be commended for her quick response and bravery.
Tim Madigan, a spokesman for the Emergency Services Communications Bureau, said: "Kate is still able to answer the operator's question calmly in such a dangerous situation, which is a situation in which many adults are freaked out. Her approach is also a model of how to make calls to the police in critical situations. Thousands of operators are under great pressure every day to help the needy Victorians, who respond to nearly 7000 calls a day. Part of it is from the kids. Kate's approach also shows that it's very important to prepare a child for a critical situation, which can help save lives. "
The 46-year-old Springvale man was charged with aggravated theft, possession of controlled weapons and breach of bail regulations. He has been remanded and will appear before the Dandenong District Court later this year.