Thomastown homeowner claims long-running dispute with tenant

The landlord of a home that was sprayed with bullets says she is “terrified” by the behaviour of the tenant who is a previously trusted friend.

The owner of a Thomastown home that was shot at in an early morning dispute claims her tenant has changed the locks, owes her rent and refuses to move out.

The mother-of-two said she invited her friend Lindsay Bell to stay at her home in November in a bid to help him during a tough time.

But she alleges Mr Bell, 40, has since taken over the home and invited a group of men who she does not know to stay with him.

“I trusted him,” the healthcare worker told the Herald Sun.

“I tried to do the right thing.

“He brought a lot of people in. A lot of people come in and out of the home.

“Now I’m terrified.”

Lindsay Bell is the tenant at the Thomastown home. Picture: Supplied

She said she was suspicious of activity going on at her home.

She said she gave Mr Bell 60 days notice to move out in November.

“He didn’t respond,” she said.

“I’ve been trying to get them out but they refuse.”

She said she attempted to go through VCAT but her application was knocked back due to incorrectly filling out paperwork.

She added that multiple attempts reporting the trouble to local police at Epping station had fallen flat.

There has been a long-running dispute between the owner and tenant of the Thomastown property. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

The woman claims Mr Bell disconnected her from accessing CCTV cameras fixed to the home.

She also alleged he changed the locks and has caused physical damage to her home.

Despite the ordeal, Ms Tran said she wanted the best for Mr Bell.

“At the end of the day, I hope he’s OK,” she said.

“I’m not judging, I just want him to get all the people to move out and give the house back.

“I want to get peace for my neighbours.”

Mr Bell was contacted for comment.

Gunshots heard before yelling and screaming

Residents have been evacuated from their homes after a suspicious device was found at a property in Melbourne’s north. 

Police were called to Barry Rd in Thomastown on Tuesday after people reported hearing gunshots about 1am.

A suspicious device was located at a property with nearby residents forced to leave their homes due to safety concerns.

There were no injuries and the area has since been deemed safe.

A single storey brick home was cordoned off on Tuesday morning, as forensic police arrived about 11am.

Neighbours, who did not want to be named due to potential retaliation, told the Herald Sun the home had attracted trouble in recent months.

A group of men started renting the home sometime in the past four months, they said.

“I don’t feel safe in my own home anymore,” one elderly woman said.

A property taped off on Barry Rd. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

“There is a lot of noise at night-time. A lot to swearing. I didn’t see anything because I didn’t want to open my shutters. I’m too afraid to go outside.

“I can’t wait til they leave.”

Another long term Barry Rd resident said: “I see a lot of people going in and out of the house at anytime of the day. Morning, lunchtime, at night. Most likely drugs, I think. It’s a nuisance”.

Neighbours said they heard four to five gunshots before yelling and screaming, before the screech of a departing vehicle.

It is understood a Molotov cocktail was thrown at the home following the gunshots.

Witnesses said they were woken by the sound of gunshots.

“Pop, pop, pop, pop, pop,” one described of the gunfire.

“Then the glass smashed. I grew up in Thomastown in the ‘70s so I’m used to shots but this was dramatic.”

Police at the crime scene on Tuesday morning. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Discarded rubbish was seen strewn across the home’s front yard.

A trailer also filled with trash was parked outside the house and a grey sedan vehicle was parked illegally on the nature strip.

The home is equipped with at least two CCTV cameras.

Detectives were seen on Barry Rd talking to neighbours.

The crime scene remains taped off as the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.