Teen charged after allegedly targeting sick grandmother in Ipswich home invasion

A 15-year-old teenager has been charged after a grandmother battling cancer was allegedly robbed during an armed home invasion on the outskirts of Brisbane.

Police allege two teenagers broke into a house on Jupiter St in Springfield Lakes, Ipswich, with knives at around 3.30am on Saturday.

Linda Bray, 62, was staying at home with her daughter when she was awakened by armed intruders.

The grandmother is currently undergoing chemotherapy and is staying with her daughter while her treatment continues.

One of the alleged intruders held the phone up to Ms Bray’s face with the message ‘This is a robbery’.

The youths allegedly told the woman they were a group of four and were holding the family, including Ms Bray’s grandchildren, hostage.

It is claimed that two young people stole electronic cigarettes, children’s shoes, wallets and car keys.

But while they tried to steal the car outside the property, the teenagers were left where they were because they did not know how to drive a manual vehicle.

Ms Bray said they managed to back up “about a metre” before realizing it was a manual car.

“There was no ‘just start driving’ moment,” he said.

“That was the funniest part.”

Ms Bray was uninjured during the alleged house robbery.

However, her daughter Sabra said her ordeal could have been much worse and could have negatively affected her mother’s cancer treatment.

Queensland Police charged a 15-year-old Springfield Lakes boy on Monday.

two counts of trespassing and criminal trespass; and one count each of knowingly entering a home during armed and armed robbery.

“He was dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the Youth Justice Act,” a police statement said.

The other suspect is still at large.

Police have urged anyone with CCTV footage or information about the incident to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.