A quiet suburban street in Adelaide's south has been rocked after a 45-year-old man allegedly escaped a home where he had been held captive and tortured. Emergency services were called to Weatherly Rd in Happy Valley just before 6am on Tuesday after a neighbour reported a man covered in paint with a zip tie around his wrist frantically banging on their front door for help.
Witness Describes Distressing Scene
A witness, too alarmed to appear on camera, told 7NEWS the man left a trail of paint as he fled. The witness said the man claimed he had been tied up, held captive and tortured at a home further up the street. Paramedics and police took the 45-year-old to hospital with injuries consistent with an alleged assault.
“It’s pretty confronting… I don’t know what’s gone down but it’s not good,” neighbour Rebecca Gardner told 7NEWS.
Hazmat Response and Evidence Found
Officers then attended the property from which the man had fled. Concerns about a strong odour triggered a full hazmat response. Inside, police found an axe, blood, paint, rope, zip ties and suspected drug paraphernalia. A 26-year-old woman was taken to hospital with assault-related injuries. A 19-year-old man, under police escort, was also transported as detectives and crime scene officers searched the home.
Police removed multiple bags of evidence and photographed what neighbours believe are bullet holes in the garage from a previous incident.
Shock in a Quiet Neighbourhood
Neighbour Nigel Cook told 7NEWS he was shocked by the emergency response. “Makes me feel a bit surprised… this is an incredibly quiet neighbourhood,” he said. Locals, too frightened to appear on camera, say the ordeal has shaken the normally quiet street. “It’s not great… and there’s a lot of kids in this neighbourhood too,” Cook added.
Police say the incident appears to be a domestic disturbance, and all people involved are known to each other. Investigations are ongoing.
