Victorian police hunt flour-fingered bandits after elderly man robbed

Victorian police are following the breadcrumbs of a modern day Hansel and Gretel, who left left hundreds of freshly-baked bread rolls at elderly man’s home after breaking in and stealing his electric wheel chair.

The Templestowe man returned home last month to discover his home had been broken into, with the thieves taking a ride on lawnmower, crystal glasses and his unique double-seater wheelchair.

But in a bizarre twist the thieves left behind a rather odd calling card - hundreds of freshly baked bread rolls.

Police said several dozens of boxes of buns were strewn around inside the house and on the front lawn.

It is believed the rolls were stolen from a nearby bakery.

Police are now appealing to anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area between May 10 and May 11.

Senior Constable Martin Nunn said police were keen to return the wheelchair and other items to their rightful owner.

“He’s a man in his 70s and the wheelchair belonged to his late father, so it has a sentimental value as well as a practical one,” he said.

“To rob an elderly man of his wheelchair is a pretty low act and police are keen to catch up with those responsible.”

Anyone with any information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.