A man was allegedly dragged from his bed in Melbourne’s northeast by a group of armed men before his body was found dumped at a playground in the city’s west.
Police allege a group of men arrived at a house on Darius Terrace in South Morang about 3am on Friday.
They allegedly drove to the property in a dark-coloured vehicle and were armed with machetes.
The group allegedly broke into the home while armed with machetes and assaulted a 30-year-old man who was asleep.
He was dragged from the house into a car, which fled the scene.
“Another man and two children were inside the property at the time and were not physically injured,” a police statement read.
Emergency services were later called to Bruny Drive Park Playground near Bruny Drive in Tarneit about 4.30am on Friday after a man’s body was found.
“The circumstances surrounding his death are yet to be established,” a police statement read.
The man is yet to be formally identified,but police believe he is the man connected to the alleged kidnapping hours earlier.
A post-mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of the man’s death.
No arrests have been made.
Residents told the Herald Sun they usually felt safe in the western Melbourne suburb.
“I was here late last night and usually I don’t feel unsafe in this area,” one said.
“I come here very often and now I think I would think twice before going out.”
Investigations into the incident are ongoing and a crime scene has been established.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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