Port Lincoln police called to three weapon-related break-ins within a week

Makeshift guns, machetes and hatchets are just a few of the weapons allegedly used in a spate of regional break-ins as police raise the alarm on armed intruders.

An series of armed break-ins have occurred across a regional South Australian town with police attending three unconnected crimes in the space of six days.

Port Lincoln Superintendent Paul Bahr said various victims had allegedly been confronted by intruders armed with homemade and illegal weapons in an “unusual” chain of events.

“Unfortunately, there are people in the community that think they can take matters into their own hands when they have disagreements and use weapons to sort out their problems,” Supt Bahr said.

Last week three men entered a home on the Marina via an unlocked front door. Picture: Micaela Stark

In the most recent break-in a 23-year-old woman and 17-year-old man allegedly entered a Port Lincoln home assaulting a man with a taser and machete on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old male victim was hospitalised with stab wounds where he remains in a stable condition.

The two accused were scheduled to appear in court Thursday afternoon charged with aggravated serious criminal trespass, assault cause harm and possess dangerous article.

Officers were also called to Yardea Street where a 29-year-old local man allegedly forced his way into the home of a male known to him attacking him with a metal pole and homemade firearm at around 2.30pm on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old victim was taken to hospital and treated for minor injuries.

The accused was charged with aggravated serious criminal trespass, assault and firearms offences.

He was refused bail and remains in police custody until his court appearance at the Port Lincoln Magistrates Court next week.

Last week three men entered a home on the Marina via an unlocked front door.

An occupant who sleeping at the time was confronted around 4.30am on Friday by the men, one whom was armed with a small hatchet.

A trio entered a home in the Marina area on Friday, one of the men was armed with a small hatchet. Picture: Supplied

The trio fled towards Sandy Point Place, leaving the resident uninjured.

Police urge any witnesses to come forward with information or reports of suspicious activity regarding the incident.

Supt Bahr said while these confrontations are alarming all culprits have and will be either arrested or charged.

“Unfortunately, these offenders seem to have the intention of hurting people, which is a little unusual for Port Lincoln but certainly something we’re not going to tolerate,” he said.

“The last thing we want is for people to be engaged in or trying to defend themselves against people that are armed.

“The fact that people are going to the extent of having homemade guns, homemade tasers – one bloke had pistol crossbows at his house – that’s alarming and something we need to stamp out.”

While SAPOL’s data revealed Port Lincoln’s overall criminal activity has mostly decreased compared to last year, the regions statistics show that threatening behaviour is up 155 per cent.