Police believe the home invasion and assault that occurred in Bellingen a few months ago was most likely a targeted attack by someone with local knowledge.
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Today they renewed their appeal for the public to come forward with information.
“It was an extremely serious offence,” Crime Manager Detective Acting Inspector Peter O’Reilly said. “We don’t believe it was a random attack. We believe it was people who have knowledge of the area and knowledge of the businesses in the area, not just itinerant people passing through town.”
About 2am on Monday May 28, two men forced entry into a house near the Bellingen Fuel Stop on Ford Street and demanded money from a 31-year-old male resident.
The resident suffered a cut to his hand after he was allegedly attacked by one of the men with a knife.
The two men stole money and tied up the victim. They then drove him to Fullers Service Station and Fruit Shop in his own vehicle, where he was assaulted again, leaving a large cut on his forehead.
The man managed to escape and seek assistance from a 37-year-old man, who was injured after he tried to stop the car carrying the two men.
Police later managed to locate the abandoned vehicle nearby.
Detectives from Coffs/Clarence Police District established Strike Force Sansom to investigate.
Crime manager Peter O’Reilly said it seems likely that the victims of the crime were known to the offenders and that it was a targeted attack, but that police had not yet established a motive.
“We don’t know if it was simply greed and the offenders were of the belief that there was money,” he said.
“I think they got a small sum of money, but the investigators are of the belief that they didn’t achieve their end goal. The victim was able to raise the alarm and the offenders fled.”
Mr O’Reilly said the reason for the renewed appeal to the public was that there may be local people who can help, either as witnesses or by providing some other kind of information.
“I’m sure in a place like Bellingen there would be talk,” he said. “We would love to speak to anybody who has information. And sources of information will be dealt with in a confidential manner.”
Asked if there had been progress in the two-and-a-half-months since the crime occurred, Mr O’Reilly said yes, but he was unable to go into details at this stage.
The vehicle and other exhibits located by investigators are subject of ongoing forensic examination.
Anyone with information is urged to contact detectives at Coffs Harbour Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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Janene Carey
Janene Carey is the senior journalist for the Bellingen Shire Courier-Sun
Janene Carey is the senior journalist for the Bellingen Shire Courier-Sun
