‘Brazen’: Hammer thrown at Norlane homeowner during break in

A Norlane man has spoken out about the moment he realised an intruder had stolen items from his kitchen as he slept.

A thief broken into a Norlane home this week. Picture: Mark Wilson

A hammer was thrown at a Norlane man who confronted an intruder during a “brazen” home invasion.

Ian was asleep in his home after 5am on October 25 when he heard two “loud bangs” coming from inside his home.

“I could see this bloke trying to get in through the side window,” he said.

“I ran out the front door and confronted him through the security fence.”

Further investigation found the intruder had propped up an old window with a piece of pipe.

During the confrontation, Ian said the man threw a hammer at him before making his escape.

The Norlane home where a burglar broke in through a window and threw a hammer at its occupant. Picture: Mark Wilson

“Luckily, it hit the security fence,” he said.

Ian searched for the man in his car, but failed to locate him.

“It’s so brazen that they would come into my home while I was there,” he said.

“People like this need to be off the streets.”

It’s believed the incident is linked to at least one other aggravated burglary at a nearby property on the same morning.

Ian later discovered the thief had discarded a brand new whipper snipper, stolen from inside his house, discarded in a neighbour’s property.

“I didn’t have a lock for my shed, so I’d been keeping it inside,” he said.

“The only way he could’ve gotten it is if he’d also been inside my kitchen.”

The victim said he planned on buying security cameras, extra window locks and lights to better protect his home.

Victoria Police spokeswoman Kathryn Muffet said police were investigating the aggravated burglary that took place on October 25.

“It is understood a man entered a property on Princes Highway and stole gardening equipment about 5.30am,” she said.

“It’s believed the man threw a tool, then fled the scene on foot.”

Anyone with information or who witnessed the incident was urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or file a confidential report online.

Originally published as ‘Brazen’: Hammer thrown at Norlane homeowner during break in