A terrifying home invasion left a father and his family injured after five masked intruders stormed their property in one of Melbourne’s affluent suburbs. The shocking attack happened early Sunday morning in Kew East, leaving the 39-year-old victim with serious injuries and his family scarred from the ordeal.
Details of the Violent Incident
The incident occurred at around 4 am when the family was asleep in their Oxford Street home. The gang, including one individual armed with a machete, forced their way into the house. The couple, asleep in their bedroom, was forcibly separated and dragged into different rooms by the attackers, who disregarded their desperate efforts to protect each other.
Victoria Police shared that the father ‘put up a fight,’ trying to fend off the intruders. However, he sustained multiple stab wounds to his head, face, and arms during the confrontation. Meanwhile, the mother was locked in a bedroom with the couple’s two toddlers, aged just two and three, who, fortunately, were unharmed.
Elderly Grandparents Also Injured
The ordeal escalated as the family’s grandparents, aged 69 and 70, attempted to intervene and assist their son-in-law. They, too, were injured and required hospital treatment. A fifth adult in the home was able to escape without injuries.
Aftermath and Police Action
Four of the intruders fled the scene in the family’s luxury BMW after the attack, while the fifth made their getaway in the car used to initially reach the property. The stolen BMW was later found abandoned on Christie Street in Deer Park.
Following an investigation, the authorities apprehended three suspects, including a 24-year-old man and two teenagers aged 16 and 17, on Hamilton Street near the scene. The trio now faces multiple charges, including aggravated home invasion, false imprisonment, and intentionally causing serious harm. Two suspects remain at large as police continue their search.
A Community in Shock
Boroondara Detective Sergeant Leanne Trussler expressed her shock and dismay at the incident, stating, ‘This is absolutely devastating. A family should feel safe in their home, a sanctuary meant to protect them. Seeing this type of violence unfold is horrific and unacceptable.’
The father, who sustained extensive injuries including a fractured left arm and facial cuts, is expected to undergo surgery on his eye. The grandparents have been treated and discharged from hospital, while the mother and children are recovering from the emotional trauma of the event.
The community has rallied in support of the family, condemning the attackers and emphasizing the importance of safety in their neighborhood. Local authorities have urged anyone with information to come forward to help bring the remaining perpetrators to justice.
Protecting Families in the Face of Rising Crime
The incident serves as a grim reminder of the importance of securing homes and staying vigilant. Law enforcement and community leaders are working together to ensure that such traumatic events are prevented in the future, providing reassurance to residents in Melbourne and beyond.
