A couple has described being held at gunpoint after opportunistic thugs targeted them in a violent home invasion in Melbourne's south-east.
Police believe two men were casing an estate in Clyde North about 2.20am on January 23 when they parked in Aintree Close and got out of a maroon-coloured four-door sedan.
It's believed the pair walked around the corner, where Rod and Annie Maureen's garage door on Yellowstone Avenue was slightly open.
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"Rod couldn't sleep… so he just went down, had a cigarette and… he'd opened the garage door just a little, but a little bit too much," victim Annie-Maureen said.
The pair allegedly entered the garage and confronted Rod, 58, threatening him with a gun as they made demands for his car keys.
When Rod refused, he was allegedly assaulted and lost consciousness after falling to the ground.
The offenders then made their way into a bedroom where Annie-Maureen, 59, was asleep.
They allegedly held her at gunpoint and demanded she hand over her car keys.
"I was woken up with the lights on and, with two guns in my face," she said.
"They just said it twice, 'give us the keys to the Lexus,' and then within a second or two, they just said 'found them' and bolted, and that was it," she said.
"They found the spare key downstairs near the front door."
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Police allege the duo made off with Rod's wallet and a garage fob, but they were unable to steal the victim's car because Annie-Maureen had fitted it with a club lock.
"I knew my car looked nice, and I'm aware of my safety," Annie Maureen said.
"So I just thought a little bit of insurance, a club lock would be safe, and he'd take longer to break into the car and take it."
The pair was last seen fleeing the scene in the maroon-coloured sedan travelling towards Patterson Road.
Rod was taken to hospital with minor injuries, while Annie-Maureen was not physically injured.
Detective Senior Constable Candice Taylor said they believe the violent alleged attack was "completely opportunistic" and could be linked to similar incidents in recent weeks.
"We do believe that this vehicle we are after has been linked to two other aggravated burglaries and theft of motor vehicles," Taylor said.
"These kinds of crimes change people's lives.
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"I think it's cowardly. I think to wave a firearm at a 58 and 59-year-old male and female that are in their home, it's just. It's deplorable.
"It's actually disgraceful, and I think it goes against everything that we stand for as a community."
Investigators have released digital composite images of two men who they believe can assist the investigation.
The first offender is perceived to be Caucasian in appearance, aged in his early 20s, approximately 180cm tall with a tanned complexion and blue eyes.
He was seen wearing a black hoodie and black surgical mask.
The second offender is perceived to be Caucasian in appearance, aged in his late teens, approximately 180cm tall with blue eyes.
He was seen wearing a black ski mask and a black hoodie.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, with footage or further information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
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