Shotgun in botched raid

By Callan Date
A WOULD-BE robber fired a shotgun during a botched burglary on a Narre Warren South house on Sunday night.
The shot was fired about 8.50pm after the owner of the property grabbed one of two men trying to break into his Amberly Park Drive garage.
Police said the 35-year-old resident turned into his driveway and saw the two men trying to break into his property.
He quickly tackled one of the men and pinned him to the ground but soon had to let him go after the other man retrieved a shotgun from a parked car and fired a single shot into the air.
The gunman demanded the release of his accomplice before firing the shot, police said
Detective Senior Sergeant Ian Wilcox of Narre Warren CIU said it was an individual’s choice whether or not to attempt to stop a crime in progress.
The debate about citizens intervening in incidents has been a hot issue since solicitor Brendan Keilar was shot dead after going to the aid of a woman in Melbourne’s CBD last month.
Another man, Dutch backpacker Paul de Waard, is still recovering from two gunshot wounds after he also offered assistance in the same incident that claimed Mr Keilar’s life.
Det Sen Sgt Wilcox said that, generally, a first priority for people should be to call 000.
He said the shot that was fired was definitely a warning shot and was not aimed at anyone.
It is believed a single barrel sawn off shotgun was used during the attempted burglary.
Police are hunting for both men who left the scene in a 1980 light coloured Holden Commodore that was parked two houses away from the victim’s home.
Both men are described as aged in their early to mid 20s, between 180cm and 188cm tall and of medium build.
The man who used the shotgun had brown collar length hair, a goatee beard and was wearing blue jeans and blue shirt.
The second burglar had straight hair and was wearing blue shorts, a blue singlet and white shoes.
Anyone with any information about the crime is asked to contact Narre Warren Police on 9705 3114.