20:06 EDT, 13 January 2021
A former solider is behind bars after he allegedly kidnapped and threatened a young animal shelter employee with an assault rifle before he returned to the facility just hours later.
Tony Wittmann, 44, a father-of-three from Langwarrin in Melbourne s south-east has been charged with a string of offences, including kidnapping, aggravated burglary, armed robbery, false imprisonment and firearm offences.
Police allege Wittmann attended The Lost Dogs Home in Cranbourne West dressed in tactical-style camouflage clothing late Monday night, where he allegedly threatened a young female employee, 23, with a rifle.
He allegedly forced her into the animal welfare property at gunpoint, tied her hands with cable ties and demanded where the cats were .
The Melbourne man was under impression animals were being harmed and is charged with kidnapping, aggravated burglary, armed robbery, false imprisonment and firearm offences.
An interview the AFL conducted with the woman who alleges she was indecently assaulted by Collingwood star Jordan De Goey is set to be made available to the footballer's lawyers as he prepares to contest his criminal charge.