Young boy used as 'lookout' during woman's crime spree

A Melbourne community has raised concern for a young boy who was used as a look out by a female thief.

The boy has been seen “several times” standing watch as a woman, who is believed to be his mother, steals mail from letterboxes.

“I seen the little boy waving to his mum, I think, to show her that we were coming, and that’s when she stopped and put the mail under her arm,” resident Olivia Power said.

The woman has already stolen the medical records of an unwell resident, two driver’s licences and credit details that were used to defraud the victim of $1,000 before a locked gate was installed to restrict access.

But the residents say they are more concerned for the welfare of the child than the missing letters.

“That’s what’s most worrying about using the child as a lookout, that’s not a healthy relationship really,” resident Triona Power said.

“I just wonder how he grows up,” Olivia Power added.

“It’s just not fair on him. He doesn’t realise what’s happening.”

Some of the residents did try to corner the woman responsible for the letter thefts, but backed off when they thought their vehicle would be rammed.

“My plan was not to let her go and she had mail in the car there ... I don’t know whose mail it was. It could have been mine,” Suzie Power said.

“[But] she was just gonna reverse. She was just gonna hit my car so I just felt I better move.”

Anyone with information on the woman should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.