Alexandra Crime Investigation Unit detectives are appealing for public assistance as they continue investigating a home invasion in Yea last week.
A 68-year-old man was seriously injured and his house was destroyed by fire after three unknown offenders knocked on the door of a rural farm property on Melba Highway about 1.15am on Monday, June 23.
Investigators understand two were armed with firearms and one had a machete, as they confronted the man and entered the house, according to Detective Sergeant Flyn Loughlin of the Alexandra Crime Investigation Unit
Police are treating the incident as a targeted attack and believe the offenders may have got the wrong address.
The offenders demanded cash and a firearm from the victim.
When he was unable to comply with the demands, the offenders blindfolded him before assaulting him.
Detectives were told they dragged him out of the house and forced him into the boot of his vehicle.
One of the offenders then drove the car along the victim’s driveway, where he was forcibly removed from the car and taken to a nearby paddock.
“We’re continuing to investigate the circumstances and the possibility that these offenders have incorrectly targeted the wrong house and wrong intended victim – a victim who was unable to meet their specific demands,” Det. Sgt Loughlin said.
Police were told they continued to assault him in the paddock and poured petrol onto him.
One of the offenders then held the man at gunpoint in the paddock while the other two set the victim’s house on fire.
No one else was inside the property at the time. It was destroyed in the fire.
The offenders fled the scene in another vehicle.
The victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the incident.
He drove to another property to call triple-zero.
Three firearms, used for farming, were stolen from the property and remain outstanding.
No arrests have been made at this stage. The investigation remains ongoing.
The three offenders are perceived to be of Middle Eastern appearance and are believed to have spoken Arabic during the incident.
Via an anonymous report to Crime Stoppers, police were provided with some details and are urging this particular caller to make further contact and provide additional information.
“We’re urging an anonymous caller to Crime Stoppers who recently provided us with information regarding the incident to make further contact and provide any additional details.
“This is an extremely vicious, violent, and cowardly attack on [an] elderly victim who lives alone in a remote area, and we need assistance from the public to help us identify the three offenders,” Det. Sgt Loughlin said.
Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
