Crime-hit cancer patient flees home

A cancer patient has been burgled three times in two days.

A Rotorua cancer patient who was burgled three times in two days has left his home and moved in with a friend.

The man, whose Owhata home was broken into while he was collecting medication, said he was still recovering from surgery and his house was too cold.

Last week he said the burglaries were "a real kick in the guts" and admitted he felt unsafe in his home as a result.

When spoken to by the Rotorua Daily Post yesterday he said he was looking after his health.

"Logic says I should sell the house as soon as possible," he said. "Because I'm still recuperating from the hospital, I'm staying at a friend's house."

The man has asked not to be named because of safety concerns. On Saturday the Rotorua Daily Post reported the man's home was broken into on Monday and twice on Tuesday last week.

He had spent the previous week at Waikato Hospital undergoing cardiothoracic surgery.

He said the burglaries were "soul-destroying".

Rotorua police believed the man had been targeted and called for the community to get behind him and help catch those responsible for the "shocking" offending.

Among the items stolen were a laptop computer, two televisions, a chainsaw, hedge trimmer, lawnmower and other smaller items.

The man had paid out three lots of insurance excess and spent another $1300 on a security system after the burglaries.

-If you see a crime in progress call 111, otherwise call Rotorua police on (07) 348 0099.