Passenger and driver attacked after getting out of ute

A road raging thug called in backup and pursued a driver and passenger all the way inside a house on New Year’s Eve. See the details.

A posse of attackers armed with knives and bats swooped on a driver and passenger inside a Bendigo home on New Year’s Eve, after they took shelter following a terrifying road rage incident.

Now, police are appealing for the public’s help to find the men responsible.

Detectives from Bendigo Crime Investigation Unit said in a statement that the driver and passenger — a pair of 28-year-old men from Portland and North Bendigo — were both seriously assaulted.

The young men had been travelling in a ute on Specimen Hill Rd in Golden Square about 4.20pm on December 31, when they noticed they were being followed by two vehicles.

“It’s believed one of the cars, a dark coloured Holden station wagon, rammed the ute at a roundabout where Laurel St, Breen St, Allingham St and Bellevue Rd intersect,” police said.

“Both vehicles have then continued down Laurel St towards High St. The ute then parked outside an associate’s property on Laurel St and the two men went inside.”

About 30 minutes later, police said, four more vehicles pulled up outside the address.

A group of up to 15 men armed with weapons including bats and knives smashed their way into the house through a window, causing the occupants inside to flee.

The driver and passenger were chased up the street.

The driver got back into his ute and was chased by a convoy of four vehicles while the passenger was later found injured on the street.

Police said while on High St, they went through a red light at the intersection of Oak Street and the ute and one of the cars, a red Mazda, were involved in a collision with an unrelated vehicle.

All three cars were damaged, however no one was physically injured during the collision.

The ute and the Mazda took off from the scene and the ute crashed into a ditch on Panton St.

The driver was then chased from the scene by a number of people and seriously assaulted before the mob returned to its vehicles and left the area.

“A number of witnesses called triple zero (000) and the victim was conveyed to hospital with serious injuries,” police said.

The red Mazda — driven by a man in his late teens or early 20s with a thin build, average height, fair complexion and dark hair — was later found dumped on McLaughlin St.

Police have been told he got into a white 4WD after leaving the Mazda, with the male driver of the 4WD described as being in his 20s.

“At this stage the motivation for the assault is yet to be determined, however it’s believed some of the parties are known to each other,” the police statement said.

“Detectives are keen to speak to anyone who witnessed the series of incidents or has any CCTV or dash-cam footage. They would also like to speak to anyone with information about those involved and this information can be provided to police anonymously.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au.