A man was allegedly dragged from his bed in Melbourne\u2019s northeast by a group of armed men before his body was found dumped at a playground in the city\u2019s west. <\/p>\n
Police allege a group of men arrived at a house on Darius Terrace in South Morang about 3am on Friday. <\/p>\n
They allegedly drove to the property in a dark-coloured vehicle and were armed with machetes.<\/p>\n
The group allegedly broke into the home while armed with machetes and assaulted a 30-year-old man who was asleep. <\/p>\n
He was dragged from the house into a car, which fled the scene. <\/p>\n
\u201cAnother man and two children were inside the property at the time and were not physically injured,\u201d a police statement read. <\/p>\n
Emergency services were later called to Bruny Drive Park Playground near Bruny Drive in Tarneit about 4.30am on Friday after a man\u2019s body was found. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe circumstances surrounding his death are yet to be established,\u201d a police statement read. <\/p>\n
The man is yet to be formally identified,but police believe he is the man connected to the alleged kidnapping hours earlier<\/p>\n
Speaking to reporters, Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said the man was known to police. <\/p>\n
He said early investigations indicated the incident was \u201ctargeted\u201d, but it was \u201ctoo early\u201d to tell if it was connected with bikie gangs.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s far too early to say if it\u2019s linked to bikies or if it\u2019s linked to anything else,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe keep an open mind to that, and we must do that so we can gather all the evidence and let that tell us what\u2019s happening.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, Inspector Thomas did say police were mindful of retaliation.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re obviously always concerned whenever a crime like this happens, we\u2019re always concerned about retaliation,\u201d Inspector Thomas said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe work closely with this case, the deceased\u2019s family and associates, but we keep an open mind to everything.\u201d <\/p>\n
A post-mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of the man\u2019s death. <\/p>\n
No arrests have been made. <\/p>\n
Inspector Thomas said the incident would have been \u201cextremely frightening\u201d for the family.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo be in your house and have something like this happens is extremely \u2026 very frightening,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
Residents told the Herald Sun they usually felt safe in the western Melbourne suburb. <\/p>\n
\u201cI was here late last night and usually I don\u2019t feel unsafe in this area,\u201d one said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI come here very often and now I think I would think twice before going out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Investigations into the incident are ongoing and a crime scene has been established. <\/p>\n
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. <\/p>\n