A Tingalpa family experienced a frightening close call on Friday, October 11, 2024, when an intruder entered their home and approached a nine-year-old boy. The event has left the family shaken and prompted an ongoing police investigation.
Maraea Powell, a mother of four, reported that her son Arana, 9, encountered the stranger inside their Tingalpa residence. The incident occurred around 5:50 am when Arana went to retrieve his school shoes from the front porch. Upon returning inside, he was followed by an unfamiliar man walking a dog on a leash.
According to Powell, the man approached Arana, asking questions about the dog and encouraging the boy to pat it. Arana managed to escape the situation by running out of the house. However, the intruder allegedly attempted to re-enter the property via the side before leaving when he saw Arana with Powell’s cousin, who was working in the garage.
The situation was particularly concerning as Powell’s younger children, aged four and five, were asleep in a nearby room during the intrusion.
Queensland Police Service confirmed they are investigating the incident. A police spokeswoman stated that they received a formal report from the family on October 10, nearly a week after the event occurred. The delay in reporting was due to Arana not fully disclosing the details to his parents until the following Monday.
The police have indicated that initial inquiries are ongoing, but there is no ongoing threat to public safety.
This incident has deeply affected the Powell family, with Maraea Powell expressing a range of emotions from anger to upset as she processes what could have happened.
Published 15-October-2024