'Sore and shaken up': Elderly man attacked and robbed by intruders in Perth
An elderly man is stable in hospital after he was brutally attacked and robbed in his home in Western Australia.
Jerome Gerovich, 87, from Mandurah awoke to the intruders searching through his Dudley Park home about 2am yesterday.
The intruders hit him on the back of his head, knocking him unconscious.
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Jerome Gerovich, 87, from Mandurah asleep when he awoke to the intruders searching through the rooms of his Dudley Park home about 2am yesterday. Nine
After regaining consciousness, he called police and was taken to hospital.
His home of 23 years was ransacked.
His neighbours are now rallying to offer support while he recovers.
The Gerovich family thanked members of the community, who gathered security camera footage, brought food and mowed the man's lawn.
Detectives are investigating the serious aggravated burglary and assault in Dudley Park. Nine
Detective First Class Constable Matthew Mackay said police were treating the aggravated burglary with the "utmost seriousness".
"This is definitely a serous and horrible offence that occurred against an elderly and vulnerable member of our community," he said.
"We've allocated significant resources throughout the district, in the form of forensic officers. We have multiple units that are out there doing everything we can to apprehend these offenders."
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CCTV caught the men looking into a nearby letterbox before they entered the victim's house. Nine
Security cameras caught the offenders peering into a neighbour's car and looking through a nearby letterbox before they entered the victim's house.
Neighbours living on the street have told 9News they are "shocked".
"It was on our street? It doesn't happen here, it's surprising," resident Alison Homsey said.
Gerovich has been described a really "great guy and a dear man".
Security cameras caught the offenders peering into a neighbour's car. Nine
"He helps take everyone's paper in for him if they're not home," resident Valorie McNamara said.
"He is a really nice man and it's very sad."
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Relatives remain by Gerovich's side in hospital, where it's expected he will stay for days.
"He's described himself as feeling sore and shaken up. But he is recovering well," Mackay said.
"He surrounded by family that are providing him with support."
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