Woman, 71, and two boys found after suspected gunpoint abduction
A 71-year-old woman and two boys have been found after a suspected gunpoint abduction in Central West NSW.
Police have arrested two men but they are still searching for a third man and a 41-year-old woman.
The two boys, their 41-year-old mother and 71-year-old grandmother were believed to have been abducted from an Ootha house near Condobolin, about 460 kilometres west of Sydney.
A 68-year-old man woke up to find the two women and two children missing after being beaten and left for dead with his house set alight.
Police were involved in a pursuit on Tuesday with a state-wide alert in force to find the family.
They were believed to be travelling in a green Toyota Troop Carrier – a 1998 model with the registration CD9 8XE.
UPDATE: A 71yo woman and two boys are safe with police after they were dropped off on the Putty Rd.
Two men were arrested near Sackville and taken to Windsor PS.
Police still searching for a man and concerns are held for a 41yo woman, believed to be with him.
DO NOT APPROACH.— NSW Police (@nswpolice) October 9, 2018
The 71-year-old woman and the two boys were found safe after they were “dropped off” on Putty Road on Tuesday.
Earlier police found a 68-year-old man who they say appeared to have sustained some injuries as a result of an assault at the Ootha property.
He was struck in the head with the barrel of a shotgun, bleeding for hours from a 15-centimetre laceration.
The critically wounded victim woke to find his house burning.
A rescue helicopter flew him to Orange Hospital as a manhunt began for two men who police say were armed with a shotgun, a knife, and an axe.
They are still searching for a third man and concerns are held for a 41-year-old woman believed to be with him.
