Pre-honeymoon burglary may be the last straw

The pair will likely move from their Pakenham home as a result of the recent home invasion.

By Aneeka Simonis

A PAKENHAM mum who was attacked in her own home two years ago has had to relive the trauma after her home was raided last week.
Frighteningly, offender/s stole the home’s security system during the large-scale burglary, and the family were retargeted by thieves days later.
The ordeal has been enough for Wendy and Karl Janzik to seriously consider leaving town.
“I think we will leave. My wife’s mental health is very fragile when it comes to this. She’s very anxious and scared at the moment,” Karl said.
The pair were weeks off leaving for their long-awaited honeymoon when the invaders struck.
Karl estimates $60,000 worth of goods were stolen from their Bonneville Parade, Pakenham, home during the brazen mid-morning raid on Thursday 20 October.
One of the valued items was his wife’s 1.5 carat engagement ring, worth $15,000.
Karl’s security system was tripped about 10.42am that morning, and an alert was sent to his phone.
It took the tradie just under an hour to get home from his work site.
The home had been ransacked – with cash, jewellery, electronics and the home security system among items taken by the offender/s, who forced a rear door to get in.
Karl said his wife was incredibly shaken having not yet gotten over an attack in her previous Narre Warren South home two years ago.
Her two teenage children were home at the time.
“We put the security system in as soon as we bought the place. Wendy insisted it was the first thing we do. Prior to that, she didn’t want to put the washing out if I wasn’t there,” he said.
“She’s already talking about leaving. It’s the fact that someone’s been in our home.”
Less than a week after the home invasion – and still without their home security system – the family was retargeted.
Karl woke up to discover thousands worth of tools were taken from his work ute on Thursday 27 October.
“They forced the back canopy of the car and took drills and drill bits,” Karl said.
Wendy’s two teenage children weren’t told of the home invasion for a few days, but once they learnt of the incident, they left a few days early for their weekend with their father.
“We didn’t want to freak them out. They went through a hard time before,” Karl said.
Karl, 48, and Wendy, 50, were due to go on a honeymoon to Lorne but no longer have the cash to do so.
“It’s out of the question now. That’s the most disappointing thing,” Karl said.
The family are one of many whose lives have been hugely affected by the crime wave affecting Pakenham and surrounding areas.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.