Australian Teen Used As Extortion With Bomb Around Her Neck

Aug 03 2011           Jump To Discussion

UPDATE: The Australian teen who had a bomb strapped around her neck was freed from the device and reunited with her family Wednesday evening.

18 year old Madeleine Pulver had to endure 10 life-threatening hours while bomb experts tried to remove the explosive device an intruder had placed around her neck.

”We want to get our hands on who’s done this and pretty smartly,” Mark Murdoch, New South Wales police assistant commissioner, told a news conference.

”The family has endured something no one needs to endure and, as a parent, something I could never contemplate,” Murdoch said.

Madeleine has been reunited with her mom and dad, Belinda and Bill Pulver, after doctors had a chance to examine the teen, making sure she was physically and emotionally alright.

Australian newspaper The Herald reported that the intruder left a ransom note before fleeing the house.

According to the paper. Bill Pulver, 53, is as a wealthy businessman who runs an international software company, Appen Butler Hill, a linguistic solutions company.

Police refuse to speculate whether the assault was an extortion attempt until more detailed information is available.

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MOSMAN – A teenage girl is caught up in a terrifying ordeal, after an intruder reportedly entered her family’s multi-million dollar mansion and attached a bomb to her.

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Police and emergency services rushed to the exclusive Sydney suburb of Mosman just before 3pm, after being called to the home by the schoolgirl claiming there was a “suspicious device”.

Upon arrival, police  found an 18-year-girl with an explosive device fastened around her neck with a threatening note attached.  According to the teen, a balaclava-wearing man broke into the home and placed the bomb around her neck.

Seven hours later, the teen still has not emerged from the residence where emergency services are on alert. She remains in a room to the front of the house, and is considered in a “very good” state for the situation.

Her parents are outside the property and communicating with their daughter through police. They are not allowed inside due to the threat of an explosion.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Mark Murdoch told the media he could not confirm or deny these reports, due to the “serious, sensitive” nature of the situation.

“I can’t confirm whether it is strapped to the woman involved but she is still in the vicinity of the device.”

When asked whether the girl could move away from the bomb, Mr Murdoch said: “No, she can’t get away from it.”

The police are currently treating the device as live and have negotiators working with the girl. The robbery and serious crime squad have been called in to assist, leading to speculation the teenager is caught up in an extortion attempt.

The teen comes from one of Australia’s richest families.  The house is in an area well known for its multi-million dollar properties, including one belonging to horse trainer Gai Waterhouse.

The girl had celebrated her 18th birthday just a few weeks ago.

Streets surrounding Burrawong Ave were roped off, as ambulance and rescue services arrived.  Neighboring homes have been evacuated and police are urging people to stay away from the area.

Police released a statement just after 7pm AEST saying that bomb squad officers remained inside the house where they were examining the device and supporting the woman.

“The process demands a high-level of skill and must be meticulous,” the statement said.

“The incident is not being treated as self-harm.”

Police would not elaborate on these details, due to the “delicate operation” which is in progress.

 

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