Maddie Pulver hoax bomb case
In the swanky Sydney suburb of Mosman on 3 August, 2011, schoolgirl Maddie Pulver became embroiled in a story which kept a global audience on the edge of their seats.
The teenager, in her final year at Wenona School in North Sydney, was studying for her HSC exams when she came face-to-face with a balaclava-clad intruder in her exclusive home.
Maddie retreated as the man demanded she "sit down” and that “no one needed to get hurt”.
The next ten hours were more suited to a Hollywood thriller film than the streets of Sydney.
It is alleged the masked man forced a black box against the terrified girl’s neck, using a device similar to a bike chain. He then also placed a lanyard with a USB and document sleeve around her neck.
Maddie in a panic called her father, noted businessman Bill Pulver, who notified authorities.
After the phone call, bomb technicians, negotiators and detectives rushed to the scene – as rolling coverage took over all national news networks.
The bomb-like device was so sophisticated it took the Police Rescue, Bomb & Disposal Unit almost ten hours to dismantle it and ascertain it was a fake device.
Police said at the time: 'We are treating the suspicious package as live. I can't confirm whether it is strapped to the woman involved but she is still in the vicinity of the device.'
Asked if she could move away from the device,: 'No, she can't get away from it.'
During these nerve-wracking hours, police officer Karen Lowden stayed by Maddie’s side, with neither of them sure whether the device had the potential to explode at any moment. Ms Lowden risking her life to comfort Maddie was praised by authorities.
During the testing time, Assistant commissioner Mark Murdoch said: “We are continuing to work very, very hard under difficult circumstances to ensure the welfare of the family.
“This operation is serious, it is delicate and we will have to take as long as it takes to ensure this young lady's safety.”
It took authorities until just after midnight to free Maddie from her emotional ordeal. She was rushed to Royal North Shore Hospital and reunited with her relieved parents, Bill and Belinda.
After police announced they were treating the incident as an attempted extortion, rumours circulated in the media about the involvement of a friend - or even Maddie herself.
Robbery and Serious Crime Squad head Superintendent Luke Moore dismissed these suggestions quickly, saying: "Madeleine was the victim."
It wasn’t until the major arrest breakthrough on 16 August, 2011 that all media speculation around the teenager began to dissipate.
In the extraordinary twist, a 50-year-old Australian man identified as Paul "Doug" Peters - a father of three daughters who was educated at Sydney's prestigious The Scots College - was arrested in the United States by an FBI SWAT team and two detectives from the NSW Robbery and Serious Crime Squad's Strike Force Haddon.
In court documents, the bizarre details contained in the note discovered attached to Madeleine, and allegedly placed there by Mr Peters, were revealed.
"Powerful new technology plastic explosives are located inside the small black combination case delivered to you. The case is booby-trapped. It can ONLY be opened safely if you follow the instructions and comply with its terms and conditions," the note read.
The two-page, handwritten note said that detailed instructions would be provided to "transfer a defined sum once you acknowledge and confirm receipt of this message".
The note was signed off with the name Dirk Stuan, who is the lead character in the epic historical novel Tai-Pan. The 1966 novel tracks the bitter feud between rival businessmen who seek to destroy each other.
It was the information contained in this document, which finally allowed Strike Force Haddon to start unravelling the mysterious case.
The note led investigators to an email account, which was accessed at a NSW Central Coast library, tipping police off to Mr Peter’s possible involvement. He was then monitored as he fled the country.
Police believe he has no direct links to the Pulver family.
He was extradited to Australia and charged with kidnapping, special aggravated break enter and commit serious indictable offence, and demand property with intent to steal.
Maddie’s dad, Bill Pulver, was relieved after the arrest and hoped to put the terrifying ordeal behind the family.
"This has been a baffling and frightening experience. It has tested us all. We have been overwhelmed by support we have received,” he said.
"These past two weeks have been very difficult for us and we are hopeful that this development marks the beginning of the end of this traumatic ordeal for our family."
