By CHERIE TAYLOR in Rotorua
Thoughtless burglars have taken the last present given to Maralyn Leef-Simon's children by their father before his death.
The Rotorua widow arrived home from her part-time job to find someone had broken into her home and stolen her children's Xbox and PlayStation 2
consoles, along with the controls and games they played.
Nothing else was taken.
Her children, especially 15-year-old Matene, were distraught, Mrs Leef-Simon said.
Her husband, Whiti Simon, who worked with troubled youth in Rotorua for 15 years, died from a heart attack while rowing with a waka ama team on Lake Rotorua a year ago. The Xbox had been his last gift to Matene.
"He [Matene] is gutted. All of them are gutted. How could anyone do this? It has so much sentimental value to them," Mrs Leef-Simon said.
She had no insurance covering the items stolen so they would not be replaced.
"We have house insurance but they wouldn't give us cover for the contents until I could have a deadlock fitted. I just haven't been able to afford one," she said. "I just can't understand people walking in and helping themselves to other people's things."
The family survive on a widow's benefit and Mrs Leef-Simon's part-time job at a Rotorua kohanga reo.
It is believed the burglars got into the Westlock Rd property through a broken door.
There are about 30 burglaries in Rotorua each week and Senior Sergeant Greg Sparrow said people should secure their property even if they only left it for a few minutes.
"Most burglars are opportunist thieves.
"Don't leave pushbikes and things on front lawns. Lock your garage and windows. Don't leave anything of value lying around that would invite a burglar in."
It was important for victims to report any break-in at the earliest possible time and to check with second-hand dealers, he said.
"People should record the serial numbers and note anything that will help them identify their property," he said.
