Police manhunt launched after gang ‘steal $1m in cash and firearms from Yorke Peninsula man’

A gang is on the run after a stealing more than $1m in cash and multiple firearms during a violent Yorke Peninsula home invasion.

A manhunt was launched after a gang stole more than $1m in cash and guns during a violent home invasion in a tiny South Australian regional town before police stumbled across the loot hundreds of kilometres across the border.

SA detectives launched an investigation after three men viciously attacked the Yorke Peninsula man, 74, inside his Yorketown home, 230km from Adelaide, early on Monday.

As forces across two states hunted for some of the fugitives last night, locals expressed their shock at the assault on the popular sportsman.

Yorke Mid-North officers then launched a statewide manhunt after the gang fled the tiny town - population 969 - with a “very large amount” of stolen cash, more than a dozen firearms and the victim’s Toyota sedan.

His car was found dumped almost 30km north at Minlaton.

The unnamed victim, who is not accused of wrongdoing, is recovering in hospital after suffering head injuries as police work to establish a motive and appealed for witnesses.

It is understood the cash haul totalled more than $1m, which would represent one of the state’s biggest physical money thefts from a residential address in living history.

But in what may come to become one of Australia’s most fortuitous busts, NSW Police are believed to have caught at least two of the gang travelling across the border.

Officers are understood to have stopped two cars before searches uncovered the “large amount of cash”.

Police also are understood to have seized all of the guns, the models of which are unknown.

Sources said one man was arrested almost 600km, just over the NSW border, near Broken Hill.

Another suspect was arrested at Cobar almost five hours further along the Barrier Hwy in NSW and more than 100km from the crime scene.

It is understood both men are located from different parts of NSW.

Detectives are now investigating when they ventured into SA and if they had a specific intent of stealing from the Yorketown home.

While police last night had two men in custody, a manhunt is now underway for a further pair sources said are believed to have been involved in the break and enter.

No charges had been laid last night while police declined to say how much was stolen.

Locals reported seeing “lots of police”.

In response to inquiries, an SA Police spokeswoman said investigations were ongoing into the 1am assault.

“Police were called to a home on St Vincent Highway after three men broke into the property and assaulted the occupant,” she said.

“The men stole a large amount of cash along with a number of firearms.

“Yorke Mid North police are investigating the incident and are seeking anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at www.crimestopperssa.com.au or on 1800 333 000.”

NSW Police were approached for comment.

Originally published as Police manhunt launched after gang ‘steal $1m in cash and firearms from Yorke Peninsula man’