Girrawheen home invasion: Joel Leslie Painter charged over alleged home invasion and bashing of Perth grandmother Ninette Simons
Police have arrested a third man allegedly involved in the violent home invasion and beating of an elderly grandmother a fortnight ago.
Joel Leslie Painter, 36, who is believed to be the last outstanding person wanted in connection with the alleged attack, has been charged with a series of offenses following his dramatic arrest on Sunday morning.
Ninette Simons, 73, and her husband Phillip, 76, were the targets of a home invasion on April 16 when a trio of men allegedly entered their Girrawheen home in Perth posing as police officers.
Western Australian police launched a public appeal last week to help locate Painter after the horrific ordeal.
The manhunt ended when Painter was arrested on Sunday in the neighboring suburb of Mirrabooka in Perth’s north.
Ninette Simons, 73, (photo) was allegedly beaten up by three men in her own home. She told the immigration minister on Wednesday that she no longer feels safe
Joel Leslie Painter, 36, (pictured), believed to be the last outstanding person in connection with the alleged attack, was arrested Sunday
Painter, a former boxer, was charged with aggravated residential burglary, aggravated robbery, detaining a person with intent to obtain benefits, aggravated assault occasioning bodily harm and impersonating a police officer.
He is expected to appear in the Joondalup Magistrates Court on Monday.
Police had already charged three other men in connection with their alleged involvement in the attack, including former immigration detainee Majid Jamshidi Doukoshkan.
Police allege Doukoshkan, Painter and a third man, Seyed Younes Taham, 38, posed as police officers to enter the Simons’ home in Perth’s north.
It is alleged the group attacked Ms Simmons and stole $200,000 worth of jewelery before fleeing the house on foot.
The cancer survivor was reportedly held on the ground, handcuffed and punched several times in the face, causing her to lose consciousness.
Her husband was also said to have been tied up during the harrowing ordeal.
Nearly three weeks later, Ms Simons is still shaken by the alleged attack that left her battered and bruised.
“I’m not the same person I used to be, I can barely stand or walk,” she said.
Doukoshkan, a Kuwaiti-born man, faced the Perth Magistrates Court in February on previous, unrelated charges.
He was granted bail before his alleged involvement in last month’s home invasion, fueling calls for federal Immigration Minister Andrew Giles and Home Secretary Clare O’Neil to resign.
Doukoshkan was taken into custody and brought back to court on June 10.
His co-suspect Taham will also appear in court again on the same date.
Ninette Simons (pictured after the alleged bashing) and her husband were the targets of a home invasion when three men allegedly entered their home posing as police officers