The man behind a failed home invasion in Werribee South will spend at least four years behind bars.
The County Court heard Armando Perri, 65, had known his victim for most of his life and believed the Werribee South market gardener had hundreds of thousands of dollars stashed in a safe at his property.
Perri and co-offenders Stuart Martin and Andrew Phillips planned for Martin to pose as a courier delivering a parcel then raid the house and split the money three ways.
Martin, who did not know the victim, arrived at the home late in the afternoon of August 13, 2013, to be greeted by the victim’s wife. He told her he had a parcel for her husband. When the victim unlocked the door, Martin produced a .22 calibre pistol.
The victim’s wife fled and called triple-0.
When the victim pretended to faint, Martin panicked and fled. The victim then retrieved a shotgun and fired at Martin’s vehicle, driven by Phillips, as they left.
Full confession
Police intercepted Martin in Werribee later that day.
Martin made a full confession, and told police of Perri’s and Phillips’ involvement. The two were arrested on September 25, 2013.
Martin and Phillips both pleaded guilty at a trial last year, and gave evidence against Perri. They said Perri had organised the plan and arranged to get the weapon and vehicle.
Phillips was last year put on a three-year community corrections order, while Martin was jailed for a minimum of 16 months.
On Friday, Perri was found guilty on one count of aggravated burglary and sentenced to six years and nine months in prison, with a minimum 4 ½ years.
