Elderly woman robbed as son goes shopping

An elderly woman was robbed at her St Julian’s home early yesterday morning as her son was out buying groceries.

Josephine Vella Zarb, 82, was asleep in bed when the robbers crept up on her and demanded cash. The woman was alone for only about 15 minutes, while her son Mark, who lives with her, went to buy groceries at around 6.30 a.m., according to her grandson.

The two thieves broke into the house in Lapsi Street, approached Ms Vella Zarb, held a hand over her mouth and told her to remain silent before making off with about €2,000 worth of cash and jewellery.

When Mr Vella Zarb returned, he found his mother in the balcony, asking neighbours to call the police. She was not injured.

Since she suffers from dementia, Ms Vella Zarb is confused about the details of the robbery and was occasionally bursting out in tears, her grandson said. He said police believe there may have been a third person waiting outside in a getaway car. This was the second robbery involving an elderly woman in four days. On Wednesday, Antonia Sciberras was robbed by three men posing as meter readers.

The robbers made off with some €25,000 in cash and left Ms Sciberras on the floor with her hands and feet tied and her mouth covered with a towel and secured with masking tape.

The money had been saved by her brother – a cancer survivor – to ensure his sister would be financially independent should he pass away.