A homeowner was allegedly tied up with cable ties and dragged from his house during a targeted incident at Coles Bay on Tasmania’s east coast this morning.
Two men wearing face coverings and armed with a crowbar allegedly broke into the house around 5am on Saturday and set it alight, destroying it.
They allegedly assaulted the homeowner, leaving him with non-life-threatening injuries.
The men allegedly demanded access to a firearms safe and stole nine registered firearms along with a quantity of cash, police said.
They then allegedly took the owner’s white 1998 Toyota Hilux single cab with a red Hiab crane.
Emergency services were called to the scene around 7am after a report the home was on fire.
Officers arrived to find the homeowner had allegedly been secured with cable ties inside the house and dragged outside by the two men.
He was taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital by ambulance for treatment.
Detective Inspector David Gill said police suspect the incident was targeted.
“Although we are in the early stages of the investigation, police believe this incident is targeted,” he said.
Gill urged anyone who had seen the stolen vehicle to come forward.
“We’re calling for information, in particular anyone who has seen a white 1998 Toyota Hilux single cab with red tarp, three spotlights and a light bar to contact police immediately,” he said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously, quoting 810474.
