Police release footage of armed intruders wanted over Tumut home invasions

Australia Broadcast Center

10 hours ago

A mayor says she is shocked at two violent home invasions in a small regional town, after armed men attacked residents in less than 24 hours.
Police are searching for three men over the incidents in Snowy Mountains town Tumut last month.
Officers were called to a home about 2am on May 30, where three masked men armed with a gun and knife had forced their way in.
A 39-year-old woman was threatened with the gun before she was hit on the head, leg and arms.
About 9.30pm that day, a man who went to Tumut Hospital with head and leg wounds told police three men armed with a firearm and knives forced their way into his home on Herbert Street.
The 40-year-old was struck in the head and stabbed in a leg before the trio fled with keys and a mobile phone.
Snowy Valleys Council Mayor Julia Ham said the attacks were "really shocking".
"It's not what we expect in the beautiful township of Tumut or in the council area of the Snowy Valleys," she said.
Cr Ham said she was confident police would bring those responsible to justice.
Detective Inspector Brent Falkiner, who is overseeing the investigation, believes the crimes are linked but said the community need not be alarmed.
"Yes, it's a serious incident, a serious job, but there's no reason for concern and I don't want to be fearmongering," he said.
Police have released CCTV footage of three men, each believed to be about 180cm tall.
One has a stocky build and was seen wearing a backpack and a dirt bike helmet with a distinctive design on the front.
The second was wearing a balaclava, light-coloured joggers and a dark hoodie and gloves, while the third was wearing a puffy yellow hi-vis jacket and face mask.
Police also want to speak to a woman driving a Volkswagen Golf in Quandong Avenue, Tumut, about the time of the first offence.
Inspector Falkiner said it was "not uncommon" for offenders to disguise their appearance and there were a "number of factors" police relied on to identify people.
He said home invasions were not common in the region, but there was "nothing to indicate" any link to organised crime.
Police could not confirm whether the victims and attackers were known to each other.