Imagine being jolted awake in the dead of night—not by a thunderstorm, not by a possum on the roof, but by the unmistakable sound of footsteps above your head.

That’s exactly what happened to one family, and their story is enough to make anyone double-check their locks (and maybe even their roof tiles!).


It was just after 4 am when the family’s peaceful slumber was shattered by the odd thumping of someone—or something—moving about on their roof.

At first, confusion reigned. ‘It’s scary, but I don’t know how he got up there, very, very high,’ one resident said, still clearly rattled by the ordeal.

The husband, startled, asked his wife, ‘Who’s on the roof?’


Her reply: ‘Yeah, someone’s on the roof.’ In a panic, the couple leapt from their bed and rushed out of the room, hearts pounding.

Meanwhile, their 23-year-old son, who was already awake, noticed something even more alarming—a hole was appearing in his ceiling!

‘I think they use the foot to break through,’ he said, still in disbelief at the audacity of the intruder.


At first, the family wondered if it was just a tradie returning to finish a job.

After all, they’d only had solar panels installed the week before. But this was no early-morning electrician.

The man had allegedly removed roof tiles and was attempting to break into the house through the roof cavity.

As the drama unfolded, a neighbour spotted the man on the roof and, thinking quickly, tried to talk him down.

‘I asked him what he was doing up there ... I was distracting him before police arrived,’ the neighbour recounted.

Talk about being a good Samaritan!


Police soon arrived and began negotiating with the man, who eventually agreed to climb down using a ladder.

The 42-year-old, who was from interstate, was promptly arrested and charged with being unlawfully on the premises, property damage, and unlawful possession.

He didn’t apply for bail and is set to appear in court on Monday.

While this story sounds like something out of a crime caper, break-ins through the roof aren’t as rare as you might think.

Opportunistic thieves sometimes target homes with easy roof access, especially if there are ladders, low-hanging branches, or nearby structures to climb.

In some cases, recent renovations or installations (like solar panels) can inadvertently make it easier for someone to get up there.
Have you ever experienced something similar, or do you have any tips for keeping your home safe from unexpected visitors (from above or otherwise)? Share your stories and advice in the comments below.

Read more: ‘They pose a risk’: Pest controller's warning after unsettling find above Aussie home