A Melbourne father is in hospital after being stabbed multiple times during a violent home invasion in Kew East early this morning.
Police allege five offenders broke into the Oxford Street property just before 4 am, smashing a window with garden shears to gain entry. The 39-year-old father was stabbed 11 times with a machete and a knife while trying to defend his family.
His wife, 34, was allegedly forced into a separate room with their two sleeping toddlers, aged two and three. The man’s elderly parents, aged 69 and 70, also suffered cuts and bruises while attempting to intervene.
Detective Senior Sergeant Leeanne Trusler described the incident as “awful” and said even seasoned investigators were shaken.
“I’ve never seen anything like this. They’ve just chosen this house and destroyed a family,” she said.
“It’s got to stop. Someone is going to be seriously hurt — and now someone has been seriously hurt.”
The attackers allegedly fled in the couple’s BMW, which was later found abandoned in Deer Park. Three suspects — a 24-year-old Caroline Springs man and two boys aged 16 and 17 — were arrested nearby and charged with a string of offences, including aggravated home invasion, false imprisonment, theft, and intentionally causing serious injury.
They have been remanded in custody, with the 24-year-old to face Melbourne Magistrates’ Court in November, while the teenagers will appear before a children’s court.
Two other male offenders remain on the run.
Victoria’s Opposition Leader, Brad Battin, said the case highlighted a rise in violent aggravated burglaries across the state.
“These are happening almost every hour, and now we’ve seen a father stabbed in his home with his children inside. Every Victorian will feel that today,”
he said.
The father remains in the hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, including a fractured arm and damage requiring eye surgery. His wife sustained minor injuries, while their nanny escaped unharmed.
Anyone with information, CCTV, or dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online.
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