Teen arrested after allegedly assaulting elderly woman in aggravated burglary

An elderly woman has fought off a teenager after he allegedly smothered her with a pillow during a terrifying burglary on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula.

Police believe three offenders broke into the 83-year-old's home and assaulted her about 11.30pm on June 8.

The trio allegedly stole her Hyundai i30 and $3000 in cash.

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Anne Balshaw told 9News she woke to find an intruder rummaging through her wardrobe.

She tried to yell at the offenders before one allegedly grabbed a pillow and held it over her face.

"I was lying in bed and he put it over my face, but I'm quite strong and I pushed it off," Balshaw said.

"He then picked up books that were lying on my side table and he started flinging them at me and I cried, 'Jesus help me'."

The alleged offenders fled the scene.

Balshaw, still in her nightgown, rushed next door where neighbours called police.

Three teenage boys, aged 15 and 16, were arrested and two of them have been charged.

Detectives believe the same group is responsible for another home invasion in a nearby street where two cars were stolen.

A 15-year-old boy was charged with aggravated burglary, theft of a motor vehicle, and committing an indictable offence on bail.

The court heard he has nine other matters before court.

His mother, who can't be identified, sobbed in court as her son was remanded in custody.

"He would never intentionally try to attack anyone, he has psychological problems," she told 9News.

The mother said she had tried to get help for her son for years and was in the process of applying for NDIS help.

"I know people say throw them in jail, [but] it's not for a 15-year-old who needs help," she said.

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