Aussie family's powerful message to cruel thieves who ransacked their home after it was caught in a landslide
An Aussie family who were forced to evacuate their home after a dangerous landslide have issued a stern message to opportunistic looters.
Leonie Morgan and her family were some of the 39 people who were evacuated after heavy rain triggered a landslide in their Newcastle suburb on May 23.
Ms Morgan, her husband, and their four children have spent the last month living in hotels while waiting for the all-clear to return to their New Lambton home.
On a trip home to grab essentials, the family were devastated to find thieves had taken advantage of their misfortune and stolen precious belongings.
Ms Morgan shared photos of the damage online, showing how their home had been turned upside down and ransacked by thieves.
She told the ABC on Thursday that 'everything valuable is gone,' including several items of huge sentimental value.
'My husband's father died when he was eleven and the only thing he has from his father was a pocket watch and that's gone,' Ms Morgan said.
'They took my grandmother's pearls I'd inherited.'
At least two other homes on the street were also looted.
Ms Morgan's husband managed to board their home up with wooden panels in an attempt to stop any further theft.
But on the family's second visit, they found their door had been partially kicked in.
'People are still trying to get in, not that there is anything left to take,' she said.
'It is frustrating that people can break into our properties and steal our belongings, but we're not allowed to go into our own properties.'
The family left a sign outside their home directly addressing the thieves.
'Hi visitors, our home has already been robbed and ransacked. All the good stuff is gone! Be safe, the homeowners.
'P.S - watch your step, the ground is unstable. P.P.S Smile for the many cameras.'
NSW Police said a 28-year-old man was arrested in the early hours on Wednesday after he was allegedly caught fleeing one of the evacuated homes.
Officers searched him and allegedly found stolen bank cards, perfume bottles, electronics, watches, and other jewellery items.
He was charged with several offences, including breaking and entering, and granted conditional bail.
The City of Newcastle Council said it had hired additional security to monitor the homes while owners were away.
'In addition to regular police patrols of the area, security services have been engaged to patrol the boundary of the danger area,' it said.
However, Ms Morgan and several other residents have questioned what measures the council actually took, given the number of robberies.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted the City of Newcastle Council for comment.
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