A police operation is underway to locate two women and two children who cannot be accounted for after a reported domestic-related incident in the state’s Central West, NSW Police say.
Officers from Central West Police District were called to a property on Henry Parkes Way, Ootha – near Condobolin – about 11am today (Tuesday 9 October 2018), following reports a man had been assaulted and his house set alight.
Police were told two men armed with a shotgun, a knife, and an axe, attended the home about 5am and assaulted the 68-year-old male occupant, knocking him unconscious.
When the man regained consciousness, the home had been destroyed by fire and he could not locate the other occupants – believed to be two women, aged 71 and 41, and two boys, aged 11 and 14.
There are serious concerns for their welfare and police are conducting inquiries to locate a 1998 green Toyota 4WD, with NSW registration CD98XE, in which the men arrived at the property.
It is believed the men may travel to the Hunter Region or the Central Coast.
Detectives from the Robbery and Serious Crime Squad are leading the investigation to locate the women and boys.
They are being assisted by police from Western and Northern Region, as well as a range of specialist police resources.
Police are reminding members of the community not to approach the Toyota or the male occupants, but instead contact Triple Zero (000) immediately.
A crime scene has been established at the Ootha property, which is awaiting the area to be declared safe by Fire & Rescue NSW/Rural Fire Service before further inquiries can be conducted.
The 68-year-old man has since been airlifted to Orange Base Hospital in a critical condition.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
