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
Speaking to reporters, Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said the man was known to police.
He said early investigations indicated the incident was “targeted”, but it was “too early” to tell if it was connected with bikie gangs.
“It’s far too early to say if it’s linked to bikies or if it’s linked to anything else,” he said.
“We keep an open mind to that, and we must do that so we can gather all the evidence and let that tell us what’s happening.”
However, Inspector Thomas did say police were mindful of retaliation.
“We’re obviously always concerned whenever a crime like this happens, we’re always concerned about retaliation,” Inspector Thomas said.
“We work closely with this case, the deceased’s family and associates, but we keep an open mind to everything.”
A post-mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of the man’s death.
No arrests have been made.
Inspector Thomas said the incident would have been “extremely frightening” for the family.
“To be in your house and have something like this happens is extremely … very frightening,” he said.
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.
Originally published as Man, 30, allegedly kidnapped from home before body dumped at Tarneit playground