Police appeal for info after motorcyclist assaulted in ‘bike-jacking’ attempt
Police have labelled two men as ‘gutless wonders’, after it’s alleged they assaulted a motorcyclist and tried to steal his bike near Wollongong on Wednesday.
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Police are on the hunt for two men who allegedly stole a car then assaulted and tried to steal a man’s motorbike at Mount Kembla in a terrifying attack on Wednesday.
The men’s alleged crime spree began on Tuesday evening, when they stole a Toyota Kluger from a Mount Ousley home.
The theft was followed by a spate of alleged crimes that police say could have had a “catastrophic” ending.
Just after 10.30am on Wednesday, a 26-year-old man was riding his motorbike along Cordeaux Rd when he was approached by the Kluger sounding its horn.
As the rider pulled over, the Kluger allegedly veered toward him and almost hit him, before coming to a stop.
As the passengers started to exit the vehicle, the man, who feared for his safety, sped off on his motorbike.
The Kluger allegedly chased the motorcycle and veered towards the rider again, this time hitting him on his left side.
The pursuit, which was captured on dashcam, continued along Cordeaux Rd with the Kluger allegedly hitting the motorcycle a second time, knocking the man off his bike.
The front and rear passengers allegedly got out of the vehicle and assaulted the man, trying to steal his bike before getting back in the car and fleeing the scene.
On Thursday police released further details about the terrifying, and seemingly unprovoked incident, which left the rider “very rattled”.
Wollongong Police District Inspector Scott Nelson said the 26-year-old motorbike rider suffered minor injuries but did not require medical attention.
“[He’s] obviously very shaken up and the consequences of what could have occurred could have been catastrophic,” he said.
“It’s just an act in which [the offenders] are gutless wonders”.
Just a few hours after the attempted ‘bike-jacking’, the alleged offenders were spotted driving the Kluger through Coniston.
“Police are appealing for any persons who may have seen that vehicle around the time of the incident, and have any information in regards to the identities of the male persons inside that vehicle,” Inspector Nelson said.
Shortly after 7pm on Wednesday, police located the stolen Kluger on fire at the end of Gilba Rd at Koonawarra.
NSW Rural Fire Service attended the scene and extinguished the fire, which had spread to surrounding bushland.
With the two men still on the loose, Inspector Nelson has urged anyone with information about this incident, or anything similar to come forward.
“Police are looking at a number of inquiries, and as part of the process we appeal to the public to come forward,” he said.
“Dashcam footage, anything we can use to put the pieces together.”
Fortunately, the motorbike rider was able to get a good look at his attackers, with police releasing their descriptions to the public today.
The first man has been described as having a solid build, aged 18 to 25, approximately 180cm tall and was wearing a black Adidas jumper or jacket with white stripes on the sleeves, beige coloured shorts and a black hat with white writing on the front at the time of the alleged assault.
The second man has been described as having a solid build, aged 18 to 25, approximately 180cm tall, wearing a green hoodie, black track pants and black running shoes with lime green soles.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.