A young man from Hoppers Crossing is set to appear in court following his arrest in connection with an alleged home invasion in Donvale, Melbourne’s east. The incident, which occurred on June 29 last year, involved the man and three others forcibly entering a residence on Beckett Rd. The victims, a 65-year-old woman and a 67-year-old man, were held at knifepoint for approximately an hour as the intruders ransacked their home in search of a safe that was not present.
Police have charged the man with aggravated home invasion, false imprisonment, and theft, among other offenses. The stolen items included high-end jewelry valued at up to $160,000. Authorities suspect mistaken identity as the primary reason behind the crime, as the victims did not possess the safe sought by the intruders.
The investigation is still ongoing, and Victoria Police are urging anyone with relevant information to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers. The nature and duration of this incident have been described as unusual by Detective Senior Sergeant Justin Mercovich, highlighting the severity and impact of the crime on the elderly couple targeted in their own home.