Third man charged after men claimed to be police during Doncaster East home invasion

A third man has been charged in relation to a terrifying home invasion where men pretending to be police stormed into a Doncaster East home.

A third man has been charged in relation to a terrifying home invasion where men pretending to be police stormed into a Doncaster East home.

Police have alleged that three men falsely claiming to be police officers forced their way into a Red Hill Terrace home on April 10 and forced a man, woman and child to sit on the couch and not move.

The trio then ransacked the home before allegedly stealing $400,000 dollars worth of jewellery.

A scuffle soon broke out, resulting in one of the residents and one of the alleged offenders being injured.

The remaining two men then fled the scene.

The injured 37-year-old Coolaroo man was taken to hospital and was subsequently charged with aggravated home invasion, impersonation of a police officer and theft.

A 44-year-old Fawkner man has since also been arrested and charged with aggravated home invasion, impersonation of a police officer, theft, and other related charges.

Both men were remanded in custody to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.

On Friday police announced a third alleged offender was charged with nine offences, including aggravated home invasion, impersonate police officer, prohibited person possess firearm, and bail-related offences.

He was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on April 29.

Earlier

A heroic neighbour who shielded a young boy from a violent and bloody home invasion in Doncaster East says his actions were “nothing special”.

The brave resident spoke of the moment he knew his neighbours and their five-year-old son were in trouble as three offenders forced their way into an apartment on Red Hill Terrace about 7.50pm Wednesday.

Detectives say the three men pretended to be police officers before barging in and ransacking the apartment on the third floor.

The counterfeit cops demanded the victims inside sit on their own couch and not move.

The trio then ransacked the home, allegedly nicking items as they searched through cupboards and drawers.

A scuffle then broke out resulting in one of the men being hospitalised and one of the residents sustaining minor injuries.

The two other men fled the house.

Police arrested a 37-year-old Coolaroo man at the house.

He is in hospital under police guard.

The neighbour, who asked not to be identified as he feared for his family’s safety, said he heard screams coming from next door before seeing blood all over the walls.

The heroic neighbour says the bloodied offender staggered and fell on his door. Picture: Supplied

“I heard a little kid cry, and that’s when I knew I needed to get out (and help),” the 34-year-old said.

“When I got out, there was blood everywhere. It was on the carpet, it was on the walls, it was on my door.

“I knew I had to protect him … no kid should see that.

“I said ‘you’re safe mate, I’ve got you’.

“It was a very violent and very graphic image for a little kid.”

The alleged offender, who the neighbour described as being about 190cm and “full of steroids”, is in hospital under police guard.

The three victims, a couple and their young son, managed to pin him to the ground.

The 37-year-old Coolaroo man’s blood was smeared on the walls and doors inside.

“I saw a lady and a man having a scuffle with a big bloke who had no top on and he was bleeding from his right arm and leg,” the neighbour added.

“I saw the wounds, (the offender) has definitely been stabbed but I don’t know how that happened.

“She was scared but she was very brave, she’s a brave woman, she tried to get a hold of this guy, trying to pin him down with her husband.

“She was so exhausted by the end of it, the poor lady just fainted, she was unconscious.”

Blood had been smeared throughout the hallway. Picture: Supplied

The neighbour said their young boy was left traumatised.

“He was shaking, he was so scared, such a little and gentle soul,” he added.

“He had a phone in his left hand trying to call emergency services but he couldn’t dial because his hands were shaking.”

The brave resident played down claims that he was a hero.

“I just wanted to help, I’m pretty sure if it was anyone else, they would have done the same, it’s nothing special,” he said.

“Don’t people work hard anymore? What’s this business of robbing day-to-day Australians? If you want to be a gangster go and be a gangster on the streets.

“Don’t go into people’s houses when they’ve got kids, it’s appalling and disgusting behaviour.”

Many of the residences on Red Hill Terrace are newly-built townhouses and sit just a few minutes drive from where Dr Ash Gordon was allegedly murdered during an aggravated burglary.

Dr Ash Gordon died in a violent home invasion in Doncaster. Picture: Supplied

Natalie Gordon, her partner Hayden Cook, and housemate Tristen Standing speak about the murder of Ash Gordon at his Doncaster home. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

The funeral Service to celebrate the life of murdered Dr. Ash Gordon takes place at Kernot Hall, Morwell. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Dr Gordon, 33, was allegedly stabbed repeatedly after he chased an offender from his Sargent St home in the early hours of January 13.

Two 16-year-old boys have since been charged with Dr Gordon’s murder after the botched home invasion left his loved ones reeling and calling for change.

The offending teens allegedly stole several personal items from his home before he is alleged to have confronted them on Eildon St where he died.