At their most vulnerable, Melbourne man Christian Woern never thought his family would be the target of a despicable act.
It was late on Christmas Eve when fire erupted inside his Point Cook home in the city's south-west.
His wife and children were not there at the time but their beloved cat died in the blaze.
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"It is beyond me how you can be that low level to break into a house and steal items," Woern said.
Returning a few days later to see if anything could be salvaged, the father-of-two knew something was out of place.
"It initially didn't click, really, but then I realised drawers were open and so on and then it was clear people went through," he said.
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Not once but twice, Woern believes they first ransacked his home on either Christmas or Boxing Day before returning on the 29th and 30th.
More than $15,000 worth of cameras, technology and tools were stolen as well as a purse.
"This is not the typical Australian who cares about others, it's not," Woern said.
The family is now appealing for the public's help to track down the stolen items, urging anyone who sees anything suspicious listed online or at physical outlets to contact them.
As for the thieves, Woern has a message.
"Get a life and think about what you are doing to others," he said.
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