MACHETE MAYHEM: Four Thugs on the Loose after Violent Perth Home Invasions Leave Trail of Terror
- A 31-year-old woman was struck in the face with a machete handle during a horror break-in in Perth’s north
- The gang of four, wearing balaclavas and dark clothing, targeted homes at random, leaving multiple victims traumatised
- Police are hunting for the thugs, who stole two cars, including a BMW 4 Series coupe, and caused chaos in the community
Perth’s north has been left reeling after a group of four machete-wielding thugs went on a violent crime spree, targeting homes and leaving a trail of terror in their wake.
In one of the most shocking incidents, a 31-year-old woman was home alone in her rental when three men, wearing balaclavas and dark clothing, broke in. One of the intruders struck her in the face with the handle of a machete before they stole her housemate’s BMW.
“Violence of this nature is unacceptable and people being threatened in the safety of their home is something that will not be tolerated,” Detective Constable Ciara Lydiate said.
The crime spree began when a Toyota Corolla was stolen from the suburb of Butler about 4:30 am on Wednesday. Just 10 minutes later, police were called to nearby Millom St in Butler when a garage door was rammed.
Then, three men in dark clothing entered a home on Soham Wy, where they stole a set of keys and drove away. In a separate incident, four men targeted a property on Tarolinta Gdns in Ocean Reef, attacking a woman inside and stealing her housemate’s BMW 4 Series coupe.
“While inside the residence, one of the unknown males approached a female occupant and struck her with the machete handle,” WA Police said. “The victim sustained a laceration and superficial injuries.”
The woman was taken to hospital but has since been discharged.
Police believe the same gang carried out each attack, and think each home was targeted at random. Detectives are now working to track down the stolen cars and identify the perpetrators.
Rapid apprehension squad detectives are urging anyone with information to come forward and help them catch the culprits.
“We need the community’s help to track down these violent individuals and bring them to justice,” Detective Constable Lydiate said.
The incident has left the community in shock, with many residents too afraid to speak out.
“It’s terrifying to think that these people are still on the loose,” a local resident said. “We just want to feel safe in our own homes again.”
The investigation is ongoing, and police are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.