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🇦🇺 Australia /Crime & Justice

Three arrested over violent robbery and house fire in Tasmania; victim watched home burn

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • Three men have been arrested in connection with a violent armed robbery and house fire in Coles Bay, Tasmania.
  • The victim, 76-year-old Grant Whelan, was bound, assaulted, and had nine guns stolen before being left to watch his home burn.
  • Police are seeking the public's help to recover the stolen firearms, as a fundraiser for Mr. Whelan has raised over $76,000.

Police have arrested three men in Launceston following a violent armed robbery and arson attack on a Coles Bay home on Tasmania's east coast. The arrests were made yesterday afternoon at properties in South Launceston, Prospect, and Invermay. The three individuals are currently in custody at the Launceston Remand Centre and have not yet been charged.

While it is pleasing we have arrested three people in relation to this serious incident, it is concerning the firearms stolen from the property still remain in our community.

— Detective Inspector David GillExpressing concern over the unrecovered firearms following the arrests.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning when 76-year-old Grant Whelan was attacked at his home. He was bound, assaulted, and had nine firearms stolen. Tragically, he was then left outside to witness his house being engulfed in flames. Mr. Whelan is recovering in the Royal Hobart Hospital and is reported to be in a stable condition.

We are repeating our call for people with knowledge of the location of the firearms to come forward, and if anyone is approached to buy or store firearms on behalf of another person, then they should be contacting police.

— Detective Inspector David GillPolice appeal for public assistance in locating stolen firearms.

Detective Inspector David Gill expressed concern that the stolen firearms have not yet been recovered. "While it is pleasing we have arrested three people in relation to this serious incident, it is concerning the firearms stolen from the property still remain in our community," he stated. Police are appealing for anyone with information regarding the location of the guns to come forward, and for individuals to report any attempts to buy or store firearms on their behalf.

All of the sudden you're laying there looking at the weather chart, next second, you are getting your guts punched out of you and you just don't know where it has all come from.

— Grant WhelanMr. Whelan describing the sudden and violent nature of the attack.

A community fundraiser established to help Mr. Whelan with medical bills and essential replacement items has already garnered over $76,000 in donations. In a statement from the hospital earlier this week, Mr. Whelan expressed his gratitude for the community's support, describing the suddenness of the attack. He recounted the terrifying experience, recalling flashes of bright lights and screaming.

[I] wake up with flashes of bright lights and people screaming.

— Grant WhelanMr. Whelan recounting the traumatic aftermath of the robbery and fire.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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