Brazen Adelaide thieves at large after ‘sinister’ hit run outside popular cafe
THE culprits in “sinister” hit and run are still at large after a cafe patron fighting for his laptop was dragged up to 40m along a popular road in Adelaide’s inner east on Sunday.
THE culprits in a “sinister” hit and run are still at large after a cafe patron fighting for his laptop was dragged up to 40m along a popular road in Adelaide’s inner east.
Jeph Ko, 33, was struck by a white Mitsubishi van on George Street, near The Parade, Norwood, after alleged thieves tried to snatch his laptop on Sunday evening.
Investigators are forensically examining the van allegedly used in the crime after it was found dumped and torched early Monday on River Rd, Port Noarlunga — 45km from the accident scene. It had stolen numberplates.
Shocked witnesses told how the victim was sitting at an outside table at Manto Cafe about 5.45pm when the van pulled up.
In what other witnesses described as a “sinister” incident, the thief returned to the van with the victim in chase.
He then moved in front of the van, was struck and dragged up to 40m face down along the road as one of his attackers yelled “go, go”.
Detectives are investigating the circumstances leading up to the random incident.
“The investigation also suggests that the victim and the suspects are not known to each other,” a police spokesman said.
The victim, who lives locally but is understood to have no family in Adelaide, remained in a serious condition in the Royal Adelaide Hospital as officers continued to hunt for his alleged attackers.
Cafe Manto workers described him as “the nicest guy” who would bring them cupcakes.
The Advertiser understands the victim works at BTS Cafe on Pirie St in the city. His distressed co-workers did not want to speak about the incident.
Cafe worker Digby Sever told how the customer jumped over the cafe railing and, while he tried to retrieve his laptop, ran in front of the van and fell down.
“The van stopped, reversed up, saw him, put it back in drive and just went and hit him,” he said.
He said the victim — who was a regular at the cafe — appeared to be crushed under the van, and was dragged face down along the ground for 10m before one man got out and tried to free him.
“The passenger jumped out and then looked under the car, saw him there, and then just started yelling ‘go’.
“He jumped back in saying ‘go, get out, keep driving’ and then they just kept moving off down the road with him pinned, flat under the car probably 30-40m.”
The victim was eventually freed and bystanders went to help him.
Police urged anyone who saw the crash to come forward.
“Police are appealing for witnesses to the collision, and also anyone who may have seen the van in the Port Noarlunga area during the night to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”