Armed intruders assault man before burning his home to the ground

A 68-year-old farmer has been dragged from his home, bundled into his boot and doused in petrol by armed offenders during a horror home invasion in Victoria.

A masked trio armed with two guns and a machete stormed the man’s Yea home on the Melba Highway, about 110 kilometres north-east of Melbourne, just after 1 am, according to police.

When the victim refused their demands for cash and firearms, police say they became violent, assaulting the man and dragging him into the boot of his car.

He got out of the vehicle and was threatened again by one of the offenders whilst the other two set the house on fire.

“The victim got out of the vehicle and was threatened again [and] the offenders poured petrol onto the victim,” Senior Constable Bridget Bowmann said.

Police will allege the group then torched the Yea home to the ground before fleeing in a car with three of the man’s firearms.

The 68-year-old father was not seriously injured and managed to drive to a nearby house for help.

“[It’s] horrible. You think that stuff like this wouldn’t happen in the country but here we are,” Bowmann said.

Police believe it was a targeted attack, but don’t think the offenders were known to the victim.

Firefighters arrived to find the home engulfed by flames.

It took them about two hours to bring the blaze under control.

“The house was destroyed by fire,” the Country Fire Authority said.

The man was treated by paramedics for non-life-threatening injuries.

Detectives spent the day at the Melba Highway home, combing for clues.

The attackers are still on the run.

Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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