A rural property north of Melbourne has burned to the ground during an alleged home invasion and abduction attempt involving burglars armed with guns and a machete.<\/p>\n
Police said three offenders arrived at a rural property on the Melba Highway at Yea about 1:15am on Monday.<\/p>\n
The 58-year-old victim told investigators that they knocked on his door, demanding money and firearms, then assaulted him when he refused to comply.<\/p>\n
He told detectives he was dragged out of the house and forced into the boot of his own vehicle which was then driven down his driveway.<\/p>\n
Police remained at the Melba Highway property throughout Monday.(ABC News)<\/p>\n
Police remained at the Melba Highway property throughout Monday. (ABC News)<\/p>\n
The victims says three armed offenders set fire to his house after he refused to hand over money and guns.(ABC News)<\/p>\n
The victims says three armed offenders set fire to his house after he refused to hand over money and guns. (ABC News)<\/p>\n
The man says the burglars forced him into the boot of his own car, but he managed to escape.(ABC News)<\/p>\n
The man says the burglars forced him into the boot of his own car, but he managed to escape. (ABC News)<\/p>\n
The incident happened on a rural property on the Melba Highway at Yea.(ABC News)<\/p>\n
The incident happened on a rural property on the Melba Highway at Yea. (ABC News<\/p>\n
He said he managed to escape but was again threatened by one of the offenders while the other two set his house alight, burning it to the ground.<\/p>\n
The offenders also poured petrol onto the victim before fleeing the scene.<\/p>\n
Police said three firearms were stolen from the property during the incident.<\/p>\n
The victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries and drove himself to a nearby property where he called triple-0.<\/p>\n
The offenders were yet to be found.<\/p>\n