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TWO victims have armed themselves with weapons – including a rifle – during separate home invasions on Thursday morning. In one of the incidents, a home owner pointed a firearm at a knife-wielding intruder and ordered him into his car, before driving him towards Albury police station. The man had heard a knock on the door of his family home on the Riverina Highway at Bungowannah about 3.30am. He opened the door and was confronted by an 18-year-old man armed with a knife and a piece of wood. The resident grabbed a rifle, causing the man to drop the weapons, and told him to get into his car to drive him to the police. He was met by officers on the way and the 18-year-old was arrested. It had followed a similar incident on Griffith Drive at Splitters Creek about midnight involving the same offender. The man had gained entry to the house by smashing a glass window. The resident woke when he heard the noise and armed himself with a hockey stick. He confronted the 18-year-old, who was armed with a knife, in the kitchen. The teenager was looking through cupboards when he was confronted by the resident. He fled empty handed. Detective Inspector Winston Woodward said both were dangerous situations for the families involved. “I believe that both families were very fearful for their safety and under the circumstances, they remained calm,” he said. “It has been an outcome where no-one has been injured.” Detective Inspector Woodward said it was hard to tell people what to do when confronted with such a situation, but urged them to call Triple-0 as soon as possible. “Each circumstance is different,” he said. “Depending on how much you fear for your safety depends on how much each individual will act. “I would though suggest that you call Triple-0 straight away and leave the matter to police. “However in these (instances), both families were fearful for their safety and detectives will investigate the matter further.” The man with the rifle was a licensed firearms holder and had the gun secured, and Detective Inspector Woodward said he appeared to have applied with all necessary conditions. He encouraged people to always secure their homes.

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