A WEEK can be a long time in anyone's life, but for a Spotswood veteran it seemed like an eternity. On February 14, Tom Price was left shaken and in fear for his life when an intruder broke into his home late at night.
But last Sunday, he was all smiles when his family and friends joined him to mark a a milestone: his 90th birthday.
"I knew they [family and friends] were planning something for my birthday," Mr Price said.
"My daughter flew down from Queensland and there was a lot going on behind my back.
"Luckily, I wasn't hurt when that bloke broke into my house, so I could enjoy the day."
Mr Price said he was extremely shaken by the break-in.
He was sitting in his favourite chair in the lounge room watching television when he heard noises outside.
"My daughter, Rosslyn, who was down from Queensland was with me, but she was asleep on the chair next to mine.
"It was about 11pm or so when I heard a noise in the front yard ... I thought someone could have slammed the door of a car over the road."
Mr Price said he did not want to disturb his daughter so he got up to investigate.
"I thought, I'll look out the window to see what's going on.
"When I looked up, I saw a pair of legs in my bedroom and noticed the wardrobe door was open.
"I didn't really know what to do so I started walking towards the door and he [the intruder] just flew out the window; he must have been scared off by someone coming."
Mr Price called police to report the incident and went into the bedroom where he noticed the intruder had removed a curtain from its runners.
"He got in through the window, which I'd left partially open to let in some fresh air. I usually put a stick in the frame to stop anyone opening it from outside, but this time I forgot. I won't be forgetting to do that again ."
Mr Price said at no stage did he attempt to confront the unwelcome guest.
"The police told me I did the right thing because if I had have confronted him I could have been badly hurt.
"I've lived in this house since 1956 and this is the first time anything like this has happened. I've just got to make sure everything's locked and secure.
"Luckily, all he took was cash from my suit pocket. I had all of my war medals on the shelf. If he'd taken them that would have been terrible."
Last Sunday, Mr Price put the incident behind him as he celebrated his 90th birthday.
"First, the family took me to the Williamstown RSL for lunch, then we went into the back room, I had no idea what for," Mr Price said.
"I couldn't believe it. We walked in and there were 50 people waiting for us, including my friends from the Time Ball Club. It was a wonderful day; much better than the Sunday before."
Information about the burglary to Altona North police, 93923111, or Crime Stoppers 1800333000.
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