Police appealing for information following violent Yea home invasion in north-east Victoria
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Police believe an anonymous tipper who contacted CrimeStoppers may hold the key to resolving a violent home invasion in Victoria's north-east.
Detectives are continuing to appeal for information from the public as they investigate the incident on the Melba Highway at Yea on Monday, June 23.
The 68-year-old victim told police three offenders arrived at his rural property at about 1:15am armed with guns and a machete.
He said they demanded money and firearms, blindfolded and assaulted him, and dragged him from his house into the boot of his car.
The man said the vehicle was driven part way down his driveway before he was forced out of the boot and into a paddock where he was again assaulted and had petrol poured over him before his house was set alight.
Police believe the offenders may have targeted the wrong victim.
Alexandra Crime Investigation Unit Detective Sergeant Flyn Loughlin said police were keeping an "open mind" about the identity of the intended victim.
"It is likely and possible that the intended victim and property was not that of his," he said.
It was "an extremely violent attack on an innocent man in the sanctity of home."
Police said three firearms used for farming were stolen from the property.
The man told police he did not know his attackers, with investigators believing they may have gone to the wrong address.
The victim has described the men as being of Middle Eastern appearance and said he believed they spoke Arabic during the incident.
Police have released images of the man's injuries showing lacerations to his hands and wounds on his scalp.
Police said he had been pistol whipped during the attack and had come away with a broken finger.
His house had burnt down and all of his belongings were gone, Mr Loughlin said.
"He's okay, he's got his family around him. He doesn't have a home. We're navigating through that issue with him.
"This is a crime that's quite foreign to this part of north-east Victoria.
"This is kind of Melbourne encroaching on rural Victoria. This is the type of crime that we unfortunately are seeing all too often and now we're seeing this type of crime in regional Victoria."
Mr Loughlin said the anonymous tipper contacted police online and provided detail that had "an awareness of particular facets of the investigation that only police are aware of".
He said detectives were urging the caller to make further contact with police to provide additional information.
"This is an extremely vicious, violent, and cowardly attack on an elderly victim who lives alone in a remote area," Mr Loughlin said.
"We need assistance from the public to help us identify the three offenders."
Anyone who witnessed the incident, has CCTV or dashcam footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Detectives are continuing to appeal for information from the public as they investigate the incident on the Melba Highway at Yea on Monday, June 23.
The 68-year-old victim told police three offenders arrived at his rural property at about 1:15am armed with guns and a machete.
He said they demanded money and firearms, blindfolded and assaulted him, and dragged him from his house into the boot of his car.
Police continue to investigate a home invasion where offenders burnt a rural property to the ground a week ago. (ABC News)
The man said the vehicle was driven part way down his driveway before he was forced out of the boot and into a paddock where he was again assaulted and had petrol poured over him before his house was set alight.
Police believe the offenders may have targeted the wrong victim.
Alexandra Crime Investigation Unit Detective Sergeant Flyn Loughlin said police were keeping an "open mind" about the identity of the intended victim.
It was "an extremely violent attack on an innocent man in the sanctity of home."
The man says the offenders poured petrol over him before burning down his house. (ABC News)
Police said three firearms used for farming were stolen from the property.
The man told police he did not know his attackers, with investigators believing they may have gone to the wrong address.
The victim has described the men as being of Middle Eastern appearance and said he believed they spoke Arabic during the incident.
Unusual crime for regional Victoria
Mr Loughlin described the victim as a "tough, country rural farmer" and a "salt-of-the-earth-type man" who has lived in the area for decades.Police have released images of the man's injuries showing lacerations to his hands and wounds on his scalp.
The man says he was assaulted in a paddock after being forced into and out of the boot of his own vehicle, which is covered by an SES tent while police gathered evidence. (ABC News)
Police said he had been pistol whipped during the attack and had come away with a broken finger.
His house had burnt down and all of his belongings were gone, Mr Loughlin said.
"He's okay, he's got his family around him. He doesn't have a home. We're navigating through that issue with him.
"This is kind of Melbourne encroaching on rural Victoria. This is the type of crime that we unfortunately are seeing all too often and now we're seeing this type of crime in regional Victoria."
Mr Loughlin said the anonymous tipper contacted police online and provided detail that had "an awareness of particular facets of the investigation that only police are aware of".
He said detectives were urging the caller to make further contact with police to provide additional information.
"This is an extremely vicious, violent, and cowardly attack on an elderly victim who lives alone in a remote area," Mr Loughlin said.
"We need assistance from the public to help us identify the three offenders."
Anyone who witnessed the incident, has CCTV or dashcam footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
