A police manhunt is underway after two people were hospitalised following a terrifying home invasion in Perth’s eastern suburbs.
A paraplegic man in his 40s had his throat cut and was knocked out of his wheelchair in the brazen attack on Bremer Place in Thornlie at around 11am, while a woman in her 50s received a fractured arm during the scuffle with the offenders.
Detective Inspector Brett Ranford from the Armadale District Office said police were investigating if the matter was linked to a Facebook Marketplace sale.
A woman, believed to be about 20-years-old, armed with a bladed weapon first forced her way inside the home after a short conversation at the front door, police say.
Two men entered the house during the incident, one armed with what police believe to be a pick-axe.
The horrifying ordeal ended after the woman stabbed the male resident in the neck.
During the struggle, he also came out of his wheelchair. It is believed he is paralysed from the waist down.
Paramedics rushed to the scene before they took the man to Royal Perth Hospital via ambulance with serious injuries.
A drone, which had been advertised for sale online, was allegedly stolen during the incident.
“We believe the sale of an item through some form of social media like Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree may have been a rouse used by the female to gain entry. However, this is still being confirmed,” Det. Insp. Ranford said.
Det. Insp. Ranford said the male and female victims were shocked and shaken, but were not seriously injured.
“Luckily the wound is not significant and is being dealt with by suturing, however the consequences of it being the location on the throat could have been so much more dire,” he said.
“We take these matters very seriously, everyone should feel safe in their home.
The woman, believed to be the injured man’s partner and in her 50s, was also assaulted during the incident.
Police say she received an arm injury. She was also taken to RPH via ambulance.
Neighbour Peta Jones said she was left shaken after the female victim came to her door crying and asking her to call an ambulance.
She said in the 10 years she had lived in the Bremer Place cul-de-sac she had never experienced such fear or violence.
“I’m still shaken up,” she said
“I went over there to check on the man because she said he was bleeding and he was in a bad way.
“I could see he had a stab wound to the neck… he was starting to lose consciousness and said he was cold and dizzy.”
Ms Jones said the ordeal had shaken her up.
“I had to go out for a few hours and clear my head,” she said.
“It’s normally quiet. We hear sirens every now and then but it’s a pretty quiet street.
“This is the first time I’ve seen anything like this. I’ve been here for 10 years.”
It is understood the three assailants remain at large as police swarm the scene and surrounding area.
The police air-wing is circling along the foreshore of the Canning River Regional Park, near Wilson, north-east of Thornlie.
The woman is described as being olive skinned, about age 20, of medium height and build with shoulder-length black hair.
Police say she was wearing blue jeans, a brown and white striped long-sleeved shirt and a black cap with a motif or writing on the front at the time of the incident.
The male offenders are both described as being olive skinned and of medium height and build.
Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers.