Police said they were told four unknown people entered Chris Hemsworth's Northern Rivers home and stole three vehicles earlier Wednesday; two were later recovered.
Officers responded to a report of a vehicle theft at a home in Broken Head, south of Byron Bay, about 7.30am Wednesday, police said. The intruders are believed to have scaled a secure front fence before entering a garage where the cars were parked with their keys inside.
Sources close to the actor said Hemsworth's wife, Spanish actress and model Elsa Pataky, woke to dogs barking at about 2am but ignored the sound. In the morning, Pataky checked the home's CCTV and saw four men wearing balaclavas, two holding knives, prompting her and her husband to call police.
"Officers attended and were told four unknown people had entered the property and stole three vehicles earlier that day," police said. "No injuries were reported."
The three stolen cars were reported to be a BYD, a Ram, and a Raptor ute. Two of the vehicles were later recovered, one at Coraki, about an hour's drive from the property, and the other at Tabulam, more than two hours away. Police are still searching for the third vehicle.
Investigations into the case are ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact police.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The home invasion of a high-profile Australian celebrity draws attention to property crime in the Byron Bay region, which has seen increasing security incidents in recent years.
- The audacity of the break-in, with multiple intruders scaling a security fence while the family was asleep, raises concerns about home safety even in well-protected properties.
- The recovery of two of the three stolen vehicles suggests police are making progress, but the case highlights ongoing challenges in preventing and solving vehicle theft in regional NSW.
Background
Chris Hemsworth and his wife Elsa Pataky live at a secluded rainforest estate near Broken Head, about 5km south of Byron Bay, with their three children. Hemsworth is best known for his role as Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The property has been their primary Australian residence for several years.
Key Perspectives
NSW Police: say they are investigating the theft of three vehicles from the property, with two recovered and one still missing. No injuries were reported.
Sources close to the actor: said Pataky heard dogs barking around 2am but did not respond, later discovering footage of four balaclava-clad men, two carrying knives, on CCTV.
What to Watch
- Whether police locate the third missing vehicle.
- Possible arrests as investigations continue, with CCTV and forensic evidence likely available.
- Whether Hemsworth or his family make any public statement about the incident.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedChris Hemsworth’s Northern Rivers home was broken into and three vehicles were stolen.7NEWS: “Australian actor Chris Hemsworth’s home has become the target of thieves. The Hollywood heavyweight’s Northern Rivers home was broken into”
- SupportedFour men in balaclavas reportedly scaled the fence at Hemsworth’s secluded estate near Byron Bay and stole three vehicles.7NEWS: “In the morning Pataky checked their home CCTV cameras and saw four men wearing balaclavas, two of them holding knifes”
- SupportedPolice said officers were told four unknown people entered the property and stole three vehicles earlier that day.7NEWS: ““Officers attended and were told four unknown people had entered the property and stole three vehicles earlier that day,” police said.”
- SupportedTwo of the stolen vehicles were later recovered.7NEWS: “Two of the vehicles were later recovered — one at Coraki, about an hour’s drive from the property, and the other at Tabulam, more than two hours away.”
- SupportedPolice said they received a report of a vehicle theft at a home in Broken Head about 7.30am Wednesday.7NEWS: “Officers said they recieved a report of a vehicle theft at a home in Broken Head , south of Byron Bay, about 7.30am.”
- SupportedThe story quotes police as saying, “No injuries were reported.”7NEWS: ““No injuries were reported.””
- SupportedSources close to Hemsworth said Pataky woke to dogs barking at about 2am but ignored the sound.7NEWS: “Sources close to the actor said Hemsworth’s wife, Spanish actress and model Elsa Pataky, had woken to dogs barking about 2am, but ignored it.”
- SupportedPataky saw four men wearing balaclavas, two holding knives, on CCTV, prompting her and Hemsworth to call police.7NEWS: “In the morning Pataky checked their home CCTV cameras and saw four men wearing balaclavas, two of them holding knifes, prompting her and her husband to call police.”
- SupportedThe intruders are believed to have scaled a secure front fence and entered a garage where the cars were parked with their keys inside.7NEWS: “The men had reportedly scaled the secure front fence before gaining access to a garage where the three cars were parked with their keys inside.”
- SupportedThe three stolen vehicles were reported to be a BYD, a Ram and a Raptor ute.7NEWS: “Police are investigating the theft of the cars, which are reported to be a BYD, a Ram, and a Raptor ute.”
- SupportedOne recovered vehicle was found at Coraki, about an hour’s drive away, and the other at Tabulam, more than two hours away.7NEWS: “Two of the vehicles were later recovered — one at Coraki, about an hour’s drive from the property, and the other at Tabulam, more than two hours away.”
- SupportedPolice are still searching for the third vehicle, investigations are ongoing, and anyone with information is urged to contact police.7NEWS: “Police are still searching for the third vehicle. Investigations into the case are ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact police.”