Mum who lost three children to drunk driver robbed while at home

A Sydney family at the centre of a horrific tragedy last year is appealing to the public for help after their home was burgled on Wednesday morning and sentimental items were taken by a brazen thief.

CCTV footage from the front of the home shows a hooded man run from the house and jump into a waiting Audi in the northwest suburb of Telopea shortly before midday.

The footage was captured moments after the thief was reportedly confronted by Leila Abdallah, the mother of three children who were killed last year by a drunk driver.

Ms Abdallah was at home with a friend when the thief allegedly smashed his way inside, police said. He reportedly fled with a bag containing jewellery and other personal items.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday afternoon outside her home, she said a watch and possibly a mobile phone were taken.

"He took a watch, but it’s not about the watch. This watch reminds me of me and Angelina walking to the store to buy this watch. So it’s a bit sentimental for us, and invading our privacy," she told The Sydney Morning Herald.

In February 2020, Angelina Abdallah, 12, her siblings Antony, 13, and Sienna, eight, as well as their cousin Veronique Sakr, 11, were fatally struck from behind.

The children had been walking to buy ice-creams when a ute mounted the kerb and ploughed into them. The driver, Samuel William Davidson, was jailed for at least 21 years in April.

"In the last 12 months, the victims ... have endured an incredible ordeal,” Detective Superintendent Darryl Jobson told reporters on Thursday.

“And I appeal to the conscience of the people responsible for this crime to hand themselves in to the police, and I also appeal to them to return the property of those victims."

The getaway car is believed to have been stolen from a home at North Rocks between 10pm on Monday April 26 and the following Tuesday.

NSW Police are appealing for anyone who may have seen a white Audi S3 Sedan with registration plates EGJ-56M to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

In a statement on Thursday, police said the thief was described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 183cm tall, aged between 20 to 25 with a skinny build and light-coloured hair.

The driver of the vehicle is described only as having blonde hair.

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