Cherrybrook home invasion: Colin Saliba dies after brutal assault
An elderly man has died and his wife seriously injured after a brutal home invasion by masked men at their house in Sydney’s northwest. Police say the ‘gutless’ attack was targeted.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
An elderly man has died and his wife seriously injured after a “gutless” attack at their home in northwestern Sydney last night.
Police believe the attack on Colin Saliba, 86, and his wife Josephine, 84 was targeted.
Acting Police Superintendent Anthony Boyd said two armed men with concealed faces broke into the couple’s Cherrybrook home just after midnight.
They entered through the front door while the pair were watching TV, before threatening and assaulting them.
“To attack a defenceless elderly couple within their home is a cowardly gutless attack,” Acting Superintendent Boyd said.
“We don’t believe it’s a random attack, but the reasons for the attack are still being investigated.”
Despite her injuries, Mrs Saliba managed to run to a neighbours house to raise the alarm.
“She is a pretty tough lady I’d say,” Acting Supt Boyd said, adding she was now assisting police through an interpreter.
The couple were found suffering serious head injuries when emergency services arrived at the Tallowwood Ave home.
Mr Saliba was taken to Westmead Hospital in a critical condition but died in hospital earlier today.
Mrs Saliba is recovering from a broken wrist and finger as well as suffering cuts and bruises to her head.
The men, who fled, are yet to be apprehended.
Granddaughter Sarah Saliba visited the couple’s home at 2.40pm in an attempt to pick up clothes for Mrs Saliba in hospital but police would not let her enter the crime scene.
The couple were part of the Saliba Fruits family, which has run an apple orchard for 47 years on Sydney’s outskirts in Bilpin. The 8.4ha property was listed for sale on April 23.
Colin is survived by his wife Josephine, his son’s Joe, Ray and John, their wives and children and seven great-grandchildren.
Acting Supt Boyd said any sort of business dealings and connections would be examined as part of the investigation.
Detectives have scoured the property during the day, with evidence collected from the scene. A black glove removed from a rubbish bin at a neighbour’s property was taken for forensic testing however the weapon used in the attack has not been confirmed.
The home invasion has rattled neighbours in the quiet Cherrybrook street where a crime scene has been established.
Shocked resident Sahar Azizy described her elderly Maronite Christian neighbours, who were from a large Lebanese family, as a “lovely couple”.
“This has never happened in this suburb in the 22 years I’ve lived here,” Ms Azizy said.
“I don’t know why anyone would want to hurt them. Maybe someone knew they owned lots of properties and an orchard.”
Ms Azizy said she heard noises last night coming from the Saliba’s property, but thought it was an argument.
“I heard yelling and screaming and people running around. Some neighbours have kids so I didn’t think much of it,” she said.
Anyone with information about the incident or the attackers is urged to contact police.
Originally published as Cherrybrook home invasion: Colin Saliba dies after brutal assault
‘Out of control’: Teen allegedly attacked with axe, kidnapped
A Northern Rivers woman stands accused of kidnapping a teenage girl and robbing her before she escaped from a car in an alleged wild episode on a busy roadway.
Mayor’s political rival to join ranks of southwest Sydney council
A controversial former councillor who distributed a fake Islamophobic flyer about his rival’s wife and MP will return to a southwest Sydney council after scoring a win at the ballot box.