Former NRL star David Mead has provided a harrowing account of how he confronted and chased a pair of intruders from his family home during a terrifying overnight break-in. The incident unfolded in the early hours of Tuesday, leaving the rugby league veteran and his household shaken but thankfully unharmed.
Midnight Intrusion at Family Home
The Brisbane Broncos great took to social media on Wednesday to share chilling CCTV footage that captured two masked individuals breaking into his residence at approximately 1.42am. Mead, 37, was asleep alongside his partner and their two young sons, aged six and ten, when the burglars approached his front door.
The surveillance video shows the intruders appearing to force the lock, with one man cautiously entering the premises. Speaking about the terrifying moment, Mead revealed he was awakened by an unusual sound that prompted immediate action.
Instant Response to Danger
"We were asleep and heard something click, which, after reviewing the video, was the louvres next to the door," Mead explained to Code Sports. "Taneal woke up and said: 'I think someone is in the house'. I heard the doorknob turn and then it clicked. I knew straight away someone was in the house."
Wearing only his underwear, the former athlete sprang from bed and raced downstairs just as one burglar had entered his home. "I jumped out of bed and went around the corner, I saw the door closing and a shadow running," he recounted. "There are 18 stairs and I jumped most of them and tripped at the end."
Confrontation and Escape
The intruder immediately retreated upon hearing Mead's rapid descent, apparently warning his accomplice to "run" as both barefoot burglars sprinted down the footpath and vaulted over the front gate into the street. Mead pursued the pair outside but was unable to apprehend them as they reached what appeared to be their getaway vehicle.
"You watch videos and think about what you would do – but it's very different when it happens to you," Mead reflected. "Your instinct kicks in and your body just takes over. I was in my jocks." The former player was heard shouting "hey" as the intruders escaped, with screeching tyres marking their frantic departure from the scene.
Social Media Warning to Youth
Mead shared the dramatic footage on his Instagram account with the caption: "WHAT THE F***?!" accompanied by a sobering message directed at potential offenders. "Attempted break-in last night at our house. Young fellas out there, don't get involved with this c***. Don't waste your future."
The rugby league veteran expressed particular concern about the safety of his children during the ordeal. "I've got two boys, six and ten, which is the scary part," he stated. "I'm just glad no one got hurt. If you hurt them, you can go to jail, or they could badly hurt you."
Distinguished Rugby League Career
Mead enjoyed a glittering professional career spanning multiple clubs before his retirement in 2022. The versatile winger made 230 first-grade appearances, representing:
- The Gold Coast Titans
- The Brisbane Broncos
- Catalan Dragons in France
Despite his athletic background and quick response, Mead acknowledged the psychological impact of the invasion, describing how the experience differed dramatically from hypothetical scenarios. His primary relief remains that his family emerged physically unscathed from the frightening incident that disrupted their nighttime peace.
