It seems no one is safe from the growing number of heartless thieves. But as members of the Seniors Discount Club, we must band together and look out for one another. That is why we need your help.

Horst Olsner, a 95-year-old aged care resident in Brighton East, Melbourne, fell victim to a deplorable act when his $5000 mobility scooter was swiped by two cruel criminals right from the facility's car park. The theft happened sometime between 3 pm on May 13 and 10 am on May 14.

As the police continue their investigations, the question of how these heartless thieves gained access to the car park remains a baffling mystery yet to be unravelled. Photo by Márton Novák

Having only moved into the facility eight months ago, Horst was beginning to adapt to his new surroundings and lifestyle. However, during a routine trip to Sunday mass that he noticed his precious mobility scooter was stolen.

With barely-concealed frustration, Horst said, 'They love stealing from people and wasting their time.' He came to Australia from Germany in his 20s and spent most of his life working as a PE teacher and judo trainer. With his active background, Horst is independent-spirited and said, 'I like to do things for myself, but every year it gets harder for me to walk around.'

The mystery of how these thieves managed to access the car park remains unsolved as police continue their investigations. Detectives are keen to speak with two men in connection with the incident. Described as being Caucasian, both were seen wearing black hoodies and track pants.

Security Measures for Aged Care Centres​

The theft of a mobility scooter from veteran Horst Olsner's Brighton East aged care facility highlights the urgent need for improved security measures. Mobility scooters serve as invaluable lifelines for many, enabling individuals to maintain independence and actively participate in their surroundings. However, the lack of security in aged care centres exposes these essential aids to the risk of theft, leaving users vulnerable and compromised.

Robust Security Systems​

To safeguard the valuable mobility aids of seniors, aged care centres should prioritise implementing robust security systems. Investing in high-quality locks, CCTV cameras, alarm systems, and infrared sensors can significantly enhance the security of these facilities. The combination of these surveillance measures is a powerful deterrent against theft, creating a safe environment for residents and visitors.

Warning Signs​

To further reinforce security, visible signs could be prominently displayed to warn potential intruders that the premises are under constant surveillance.

By implementing comprehensive security measures, aged care centres can shield seniors from the devastating financial and emotional consequences of theft.

Key Takeaways

• A mobility scooter was stolen from a 95-year-old man at a Melbourne aged care centre car park.
• The victim, Horst Olsner, noticed the $5,000 scooter was missing when heading to Sunday mass.
• Police are investigating the theft and looking to speak with two men seen wearing black hoodies and track pants.
• Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact authorities.

If you have any information regarding this appalling act or know the whereabouts of Horst's stolen mobility scooter, we urge you to contact the authorities as soon as possible. \

We at the Seniors Discount Club also encourage the continued vigilance of all our members in safeguarding their personal and valuable possessions. Keep an eye out for suspicious activities and report anything unusual to the appropriate authorities. Together, let's work collaboratively to ensure that heartless thieves like these are brought to justice.

How can we, as a community, further enhance the security of our aged care centres? Share your thoughts and ideas on making our community a safer place for everyone.

 

[Jest]

It seems no one is safe from the growing number of heartless thieves. But as members of the Seniors Discount Club, we must band together and look out for one another. That is why we need your help.

Horst Olsner, a 95-year-old aged care resident in Brighton East, Melbourne, fell victim to a deplorable act when his $5000 mobility scooter was swiped by two cruel criminals right from the facility's car park. The theft happened sometime between 3 pm on May 13 and 10 am on May 14.

View attachment 20888

As the police continue their investigations, the question of how these heartless thieves gained access to the car park remains a baffling mystery yet to be unravelled. Photo by Márton Novák

Having only moved into the facility eight months ago, Horst was beginning to adapt to his new surroundings and lifestyle. However, during a routine trip to Sunday mass that he noticed his precious mobility scooter was stolen.

With barely-concealed frustration, Horst said, 'They love stealing from people and wasting their time.' He came to Australia from Germany in his 20s and spent most of his life working as a PE teacher and judo trainer. With his active background, Horst is independent-spirited and said, 'I like to do things for myself, but every year it gets harder for me to walk around.'

The mystery of how these thieves managed to access the car park remains unsolved as police continue their investigations. Detectives are keen to speak with two men in connection with the incident. Described as being Caucasian, both were seen wearing black hoodies and track pants.

Security Measures for Aged Care Centres​

The theft of a mobility scooter from veteran Horst Olsner's Brighton East aged care facility highlights the urgent need for improved security measures. Mobility scooters serve as invaluable lifelines for many, enabling individuals to maintain independence and actively participate in their surroundings. However, the lack of security in aged care centres exposes these essential aids to the risk of theft, leaving users vulnerable and compromised.

Robust Security Systems​

To safeguard the valuable mobility aids of seniors, aged care centres should prioritise implementing robust security systems. Investing in high-quality locks, CCTV cameras, alarm systems, and infrared sensors can significantly enhance the security of these facilities. The combination of these surveillance measures is a powerful deterrent against theft, creating a safe environment for residents and visitors.

Warning Signs​

To further reinforce security, visible signs could be prominently displayed to warn potential intruders that the premises are under constant surveillance.

By implementing comprehensive security measures, aged care centres can shield seniors from the devastating financial and emotional consequences of theft.

Key Takeaways

• A mobility scooter was stolen from a 95-year-old man at a Melbourne aged care centre car park.
• The victim, Horst Olsner, noticed the $5,000 scooter was missing when heading to Sunday mass.
• Police are investigating the theft and looking to speak with two men seen wearing black hoodies and track pants.
• Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact authorities.

If you have any information regarding this appalling act or know the whereabouts of Horst's stolen mobility scooter, we urge you to contact the authorities as soon as possible. \

We at the Seniors Discount Club also encourage the continued vigilance of all our members in safeguarding their personal and valuable possessions. Keep an eye out for suspicious activities and report anything unusual to the appropriate authorities. Together, let's work collaboratively to ensure that heartless thieves like these are brought to justice.

How can we, as a community, further enhance the security of our aged care centres? Share your thoughts and ideas on making our community a safer place for everyone.

what is happening in this world? time for world leaders to get their act together and bind together. In my dreams.

 

[Tabby]

This is a despicable act. I do wonder why the Aged Care home apparently had no CCTV in their carpark area..it is a no brainer these days. I hope they find the perps and get this poor gentlemans scooter back asap. Staying mobile is essential to mental health and wellbeing.

 

[Glo72]

This theft has hit an all time low. I hope someone dobs those two in. Security cameras would be a start.

 

[Nana Zorak]

None of the car parks seems to have visible signs or cameras stating there are cameras on the premises. There needs to be direct camera views to a central office so that these kinds of things don't happen in a place where older folk live. Being an older person myself I know how vital the mobility scooter can be, I have one that I can't use because of an accident with me & a lift that happened 5 years ago. So I haven't been on it for 5 years & feel I have lost so much of my independence. I really feel for Horst & would gladly give him my defunct scooter but for the fact that I live in Queensland & couldn't afford the freight cost to send it to Victoria.

 

[Pat T]

It seems no one is safe from the growing number of heartless thieves. But as members of the Seniors Discount Club, we must band together and look out for one another. That is why we need your help.

Horst Olsner, a 95-year-old aged care resident in Brighton East, Melbourne, fell victim to a deplorable act when his $5000 mobility scooter was swiped by two cruel criminals right from the facility's car park. The theft happened sometime between 3 pm on May 13 and 10 am on May 14.

View attachment 20888

As the police continue their investigations, the question of how these heartless thieves gained access to the car park remains a baffling mystery yet to be unravelled. Photo by Márton Novák

Having only moved into the facility eight months ago, Horst was beginning to adapt to his new surroundings and lifestyle. However, during a routine trip to Sunday mass that he noticed his precious mobility scooter was stolen.

With barely-concealed frustration, Horst said, 'They love stealing from people and wasting their time.' He came to Australia from Germany in his 20s and spent most of his life working as a PE teacher and judo trainer. With his active background, Horst is independent-spirited and said, 'I like to do things for myself, but every year it gets harder for me to walk around.'

The mystery of how these thieves managed to access the car park remains unsolved as police continue their investigations. Detectives are keen to speak with two men in connection with the incident. Described as being Caucasian, both were seen wearing black hoodies and track pants.

Security Measures for Aged Care Centres​

The theft of a mobility scooter from veteran Horst Olsner's Brighton East aged care facility highlights the urgent need for improved security measures. Mobility scooters serve as invaluable lifelines for many, enabling individuals to maintain independence and actively participate in their surroundings. However, the lack of security in aged care centres exposes these essential aids to the risk of theft, leaving users vulnerable and compromised.

Robust Security Systems​

To safeguard the valuable mobility aids of seniors, aged care centres should prioritise implementing robust security systems. Investing in high-quality locks, CCTV cameras, alarm systems, and infrared sensors can significantly enhance the security of these facilities. The combination of these surveillance measures is a powerful deterrent against theft, creating a safe environment for residents and visitors.

Warning Signs​

To further reinforce security, visible signs could be prominently displayed to warn potential intruders that the premises are under constant surveillance.

By implementing comprehensive security measures, aged care centres can shield seniors from the devastating financial and emotional consequences of theft.

Key Takeaways

• A mobility scooter was stolen from a 95-year-old man at a Melbourne aged care centre car park.
• The victim, Horst Olsner, noticed the $5,000 scooter was missing when heading to Sunday mass.
• Police are investigating the theft and looking to speak with two men seen wearing black hoodies and track pants.
• Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact authorities.

If you have any information regarding this appalling act or know the whereabouts of Horst's stolen mobility scooter, we urge you to contact the authorities as soon as possible. \

We at the Seniors Discount Club also encourage the continued vigilance of all our members in safeguarding their personal and valuable possessions. Keep an eye out for suspicious activities and report anything unusual to the appropriate authorities. Together, let's work collaboratively to ensure that heartless thieves like these are brought to justice.

How can we, as a community, further enhance the security of our aged care centres? Share your thoughts and ideas on making our community a safer place for everyone.

 

[Catherines]

Scumbags, is what I have to say about these thieves. It’s about time all aged care and also retirement villages with lock-down gates between certain hours got their acts together and provided security cameras at as many parts of their sites as possible if they don’t have them. Why put up warning signs, just cameras will do to catch the perpetrators unawares without having to warn about the presence of cameras.

On another note - why do transport authorities and police need to WARN people of speed cameras with a huge visible sign - a speed sign is a speed sign. No need to warn of camera presence. Exceed the limit and the camera picks you up. And that’s that. Bear the consequences of exceeding the speed.

Too many deaths and accidents on all roads in Australia and broken lives for families when speed is involved and one or more lives are lost. It’s also so important to insure house and contents when affordable (strange word ‘affordable’ these days!!)

I hope this unfortunate gentleman gets some help or someone finds his scooter still in usable condition or someone can help him out with a replacement one.

 

[Catherines]

None of the car parks seems to have visible signs or cameras stating there are cameras on the premises. There needs to be direct camera views to a central office so that these kinds of things don't happen in a place where older folk live. Being an older person myself I know how vital the mobility scooter can be, I have one that I can't use because of an accident with me & a lift that happened 5 years ago. So I haven't been on it for 5 years & feel I have lost so much of my independence. I really feel for Horst & would gladly give him my defunct scooter but for the fact that I live in Queensland & couldn't afford the freight cost to send it to Victoria.

Nana Zorak, which part of Queensland do you live in.? Perhaps a trucking company might be able to transport for free. It’s not that big an item. Or perhaps someone on this SDC site who reads this might know of someone with a trucking company willing to transport it to Victoria.

 

[Mina vriesekolk]

It is an absolute disgrace . These days they get away with anything and it is getting totally out of control . Strict punishment and if those youth are unable to replace what they have stolen , their parents should pay for it . Also a curfew should be in place as they should be at home !