Three people have been charged after a Melbourne father was allegedly attacked with a machete while trying to defend his family from a gang that stormed their Kew East home.
According to police, the 39-year-old man’s wife was forced into another room with their two toddlers as the intruders fled in the couple’s car.
Two teenagers aged 16 and 17, and a 24-year-old man now face multiple charges, including false imprisonment, aggravated home invasion, and intentionally causing serious injury. Detectives described the incident as so brutal it left even senior officers rattled.
“I’ve never seen anything like this, this is awful,” said Victoria Police’s Leeanne Trusler.
“There’s nothing to indicate it being premeditated, they’ve just chosen this house and destroyed a family.”
Police believe two other males involved in the invasion are still on the run.
Opposition Leader Brad Battin said the case reflected a disturbing escalation of violent home burglaries across Victoria.
“Aggravated burglaries, that have got to one every hour across the state are now getting to the stage they are so violent that we’ve now seen a father stabbed with his children at home and each and every Victorian will feel that today,” he said.
The 24-year-old man from Caroline Springs has been remanded to appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court in November. The two teenagers—one from Frankston and the other also from Caroline Springs—were both remanded to appear at a children’s court at a later date.
Police are urging anyone with information, CCTV, or dashcam footage to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online.
