Victoria Police hunt shooting suspects
An armed trio who broke into Emerald home and shot a man in the leg after demanding he handover cash may be linked to another brazen crime.
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Armed Crime Squad detectives investigating a home invasion and shooting believe the culprits may be linked to a petrol drive-off almost 700km away in NSW.
Three men forced their way into a house in Cornish Rd, Emerald, about 4.30am on June 10 last year.
They threatened three people in the house with a gun and demanded cash before a 53-year-old man was shot in the leg.
The trio left in a white Kia Sorrento with false number plates 100 4XI.
The Kia was seen later that morning on the Monash Freeway, with a second vehicle driving in close convoy.
The second vehicle is believed to be a 2012 model grey Mitsubishi Outlander.
Police say the vehicles travelled north along the Hume Highway and the Kia was seen in Goulburn, NSW, two days later when it was involved in a petrol drive-off at midday.
Detectives have released CCTV and images of the Kia in the hope that someone may recognise it or have information.
They also released an image of a man who was with the Kia at the time of the petrol drive-off in Goulburn.
Acting Inspector Paul Lloyd, from the Armed Crime Squad, said: “We do believe this was a targeted attack, however the victim did not know the offenders so we’re keen to try and determine why the shooting has occurred and what the motivations were.
“There will be people out there who know exactly why this shooting occurred and who is responsible, and we’d like to speak to those people.
“Any incident involving a firearm is extremely concerning to us and is of course alarming for the victims.
“They are extremely lucky that the injuries weren’t more serious or even fatal.
“We know they have head north to Goulburn and we’re keen to know if they stopped anywhere along the way.
“The fact they’ve gone on and continued to commit offences interstate highlights how important it is that we locate them and prevent further harm to the community.”
Anyone with information or who recognises either of the vehicles is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or go to crimestoppersvic.com.au.