7News cameraman assaulted after footage of Melbourne home invasion released

A cameraman was allegedly chased onto the street and pelted with rocks at the site of a shocking home invasion that left a man with knife wounds to his face.

A cameraman was allegedly pelted with rocks during a frightening attack at a Melbourne home after police released footage of a shocking robbery by thugs armed with a rifle, machete, and a baton.

CCTV footage released by police on Monday shows the men, all dressed in hoodies and sneakers, pulling the screen door of the Fraser St home open before one member of the group forcefully kicks in the front door about 4am on April 24.

The four men approached the Fraser St address at around 4am on Monday April 24. Picture: Victoria Police

Clad in balaclavas, wielding a machete, rifle and baton, the men fired the gun and demanded cash, drugs and a safe from a man and two women inside the residence.

After advising the intruders that there were no drugs or cash at the home, all three occupants were assaulted.

A 31-year-old man suffered a “significant knife wound” to his face, requiring treatment in hospital, while a 44-year and 67-year-old woman sustained minor injuries.

Seizing jewellery and a safe found on the premises, the four assailants stole a white Volkswagen Polo and fled the scene.

The car was later found burnt out in North Shore.

The intruders all wore hoodies and balaclavas. Picture: Victoria Police

The men kicked the front door of the home in, forcing entry. Picture: Victoria Police

State anti-gangs commission superintendent Jason Kelly said an altercation had broken out at the address after members of media attended the street, with a 7News cameraman allegedly assaulted by two unknown males.

“I have been informed rocks were thrown at the media and at a cameraperson,” superintendent Kelly said.

“The cameraperson was assaulted and left with serious facial injuries.”

Police were now on the hunt for the two males.

Early investigations suggested the pair were not linked to the victims.

After forcing their way inside, the men assaulted all three occupants. Picture: Victoria Police

The group stole a white Volkswagen Polo from the home and fled. Picture: Victoria Police

The assault comes as police ramp up efforts to track the four members believed to have been involved in the home invasion.

Superintendent Kelly said investigators believed the group had targeted the property because of a belief that there was cash and jewellery stored there. According to early investigations the incident was not believed to be gang related.

“It is very rare occurrence for this to occur - for shots to be fired inside this person’s home,” superintendent Kelly said.

“The actions of these four men are very confronting and concerning.”

Superintendent Kelly also confirmed that the victims were known to police for “low-level offending”, but would not say how many shots officers believed had been fired inside the home.

Police have released CCTV footage of the incident in a public appeal for information and to identify a White Mazda CX-5 that was also used by the offenders.

Anyone who may recognise the Mazda, which had a sticker on the back windscreen, or who may have information about its current whereabouts, has been urged to contact police.

Investigators are also seeking to speak to anyone with knowledge of the incident or who may have dashcam footage of the area.

Originally published as 7News cameraman assaulted after footage of Melbourne home invasion released