POLICE are investigating possible gun and drug links after a house was broken into in at Cobram East and a car rammed near Yarrawonga.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Officers were called to the Murray Valley Highway at Burramine on Wednesday following a serious car crash.
A silver Kia sedan had smashed into the back of a black Toyota Corolla carrying three men as the vehicles headed east towards Yarrawonga about 3pm.
The driver of the Kia - a 43-year-old Cobram East man - was then assaulted by the three men in the Toyota, which was witnessed by onlookers.
The man received head and body injuries and was taken to hospital.
The trio had fled the scene and were intercepted by police in Reilleys Road at Yarrawonga a short time later.
The men are accused of breaking into the victim’s home shortly before the car crash and stealing several items, with unconfirmed reports a gun was involved.
Detective Sergeant Marcus Boyd said two of the three men had been charged, with charges likely to be laid against the third man who was hospitalised with back injuries.
“This whole incident escalated through a serious collision on the Murray Valley Highway in a public place,” he said.
“We’re lucky there weren’t innocent families or road users in the vicinity at the time.
“They’re probably quite lucky neither vehicle collided with a tree, and instead ended up in a grassed area.”
Police were investigating if the Toyota with the three men had been deliberately rammed.
Electrical items including speakers, subwoofers, and a television stolen during the burglary were recovered from the car.
The victim had not been home at the time of the break-in but other people been present.
“Further charges may occur at a later date once the investigation is complete,” Detective Sergeant Boyd said.
“We’re speaking to witnesses and other people of interest.”
A 47-year-old West Heidelberg man was charged with aggravated burglary, theft, going equipped to steal and several assault charges.
He was bailed to the Cobram Magistrates Court on September 23.
A 43-year-old Bundoora man was charged with similar offences and was granted bail on Thursday to the same date.
A 37-year-old Yarrawonga man is expected to be charged at a later date.
