Man, 79, tied up and attacked: teens arrested

Police at the house where the 79-year-old man was beaten and tied up. Photo / Nick Reed

An elderly man turned up at a neighbour's house bloodied and bruised looking for help after he was beaten and robbed.

Three youths aged 16 and 15 will appear in court today on charges of aggravated burglary and kidnapping after the attack in Wellsford.

A neighbour of the 79-year-old man said there was a loud banging on their door shortly before 8pm.

The neighbour said the victim had had his earpiece "ripped out of his head" and his arms were badly bruised.

But he seemed to be more worried for his neighbours, telling them: "I'm so sorry, I've ruined your night. I've put you all out."

Another neighbour said the three teenagers were well-known in the community and so was the victim.

"They've definitely targeted him. Everyone knows him."

Police said the man was knocked to the ground, assaulted and then tied up while the two offenders allegedly went through his house, took the keys to the victim's two cars, a Ford Falcon and a Ford ute, and fled in the vehicles.

The elderly man managed to free himself and ran to a neighbour's home to raise the alarm.

Police were called and a patrol car noticed the stolen cars driving south on State Highway 1.

The Ford Falcon was stopped with road spikes near the Johnstone's Hill Tunnel and two offenders were arrested at the scene.

A short time later, a Motorway Patrol unit located and stopped the Ford ute, and arrested the third.

The victim was taken to hospital at around 11pm for a check-up. Police believed he did not suffer any serious injuries.