General News
20 January, 2026
When a simple retirement dream turns into nightmare
A MAREEBA woman’s retirement dream has turned into a “living nightmare” as persistent targeting by young offenders has caused damage to her home, the theft of her car, and regular threats from neighbouring youth.
Michelle Rocchia bought the “cutest little house” in Royles Street five years ago and has been spending her time renovating and preparing her forever home.
“I believed I was all set up for my retirement. I had just moved in and was celebrating when the first robbery happened,” she said last week.
The thieves stole her car, sentimental jewellery from her family, and caused significant damage to her property, including destroying her window security screens, a door and her front gate.
The police caught the minors “trashing the car” in Cairns, but no jewellery was ever recovered. Ms Rocchia said one of the four youths was sent to juvenile detention. But the other three were released, and they and their siblings began harassing her.
“They actually teased me afterwards, saying they could do to me whatever they wanted because they were minors, and the police would do nothing. They could break my windows, kill my cats, and beat me up, and the police would do nothing,” she said.
“These experiences have made me fearful of growing old here, and my retirement house has become a living nightmare. Every noise at night makes me jump.”
Ms Rocchia has been robbed three times, all three while in her home. She is constantly facing off with children throwing rocks at her, her house, her cats and breaking windows “in broad daylight”.
Most recently, youths smashed a sensor light, which also lit up her 80-year-old neighbour’s house, and tried to break into her neighbour’s home while she was in her living room watching television.
Her neighbour also had a stolen car crash into her front gate.
“I have also suffered from parties and loud music, with fighting and screaming that went on for days,” she said.
“I actually called Mareeba Police and abused them for letting one party continue for 10 days. I have never yelled at police before, and I apologise, but I was suffering horrible sleep deprivation.”
Ms Rocchia is speaking out to raise awareness of the ongoing crime problem. She said most locals knew where the trouble spots were, yet nothing was done to target the areas and break the cycle, such as regular patrols or a localised operation.
In her neighbourhood, there were about four problem homes in nearby Ward Street, which affected her otherwise peaceful little street.
Her repeated pleas to police had not achieved anything, and she had “no idea how to get the police to help”.
Nor had her attendance at community crime meetings, or her proposal for a safe house for youth in Mareeba, gained any traction. She had also engaged with local politicians and government agencies, but without any success.
“If we can’t solve youth crime in our little town, where most people know each other, then what hope do we really have?”
Michelle questioned why government housing was even available to known troublemakers. She believed police should have the ability to remove, relocate and evict people who repeatedly committed offences and caused such distress in a neighbourhood.
More information should also be made public on the rights of a resident in defending their home, and on the movements of repeat offenders.
“Police are the ones out on the street dealing with problems and criminals every day,” she said.
“I want to see the statistics of repeat offenders and the follow-up for those sent to juvenile detention, but the police aren’t allowed to give me this information.
“How often do police catch perpetrators who are just released back on the streets? We need to see these statistics to see what the police are dealing with.”
A QPS spokesperson said on Friday that the concerns raised by the resident were “complex and require a multifaceted approach”.
“The Mareeba Police are aware of these matters and actively collaborate with other government agencies to develop appropriate responses.”
The spokesperson said police patrols were conducted as operational opportunities arose, and targeted operations were undertaken across the Mareeba Division.
“These operations involve not only Mareeba Police but also specialist units,” the spokesperson said.
In terms of public housing complaints, police advise they should be directed to the Department of Housing, which may then seek police assistance to manage problematic tenants.
Queensland Police also do not recommend people take matters into their own hands, and residents are encouraged to call PoliceLink on 131 444, or triple zero if there is impending danger to life or property. Reports of criminal activity can also be made to Crime Stoppers.
The spokesperson said information on repeat offenders was “a matter for government, addressed at state level”.
