Donvale, Vermont South: Elderly men stalked, bashed and robbed
Police are hunting a man who stalked and bashed two elderly men in Melbourne’s east, leaving one with four missing teeth.
East
Don't miss out on the headlines from East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
Police are searching for a man who stalked two elderly men in Melbourne’s east before bashing and robbing them, leaving one man with four teeth missing.
The offender, who is believed to be in his late teens or early 20s, followed his victims as they took public transport before jumping them outside their homes on December 11 and 12.
A 74-year-old Donvale man said he got off a bus at Carbine St about 4pm on December 12 and walked a few hundred meters home before he was attacked as he checked his letterbox.
DRUGS, CASH AND WEAPONS SEIZED IN CLARINDA HOUSE RAIDS
HOUSES STRIPPED OF CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
SECOND EMERGENCY DEPT FOR BOX HILL
The Chinese man, who spoke through an interpreter, said the offender punched him in the face, head and ribs.
“And then he picked me up and threw me on the ground.”
The attacker stole his phone and wallet before fleeing.
The elderly man said he was left “dizzy and confused”, lost four teeth and vomited after the incident.
He revealed dark bruises across his ribs and stomach nine days after the attack.
“I feel scared when I go out,” he said.
CCTV shows the offender had followed the man on the train between Surrey Hills and Box Hill stations, before taking the same bus as his victim.
Detective Senior Constable Ben Mahon said police believed the same man was responsible for a similar incident the day before, based on CCTV footage.
On December 11, an 82-year-old Vermont South man was followed home after getting off the bus at Springvale Rd, Vermont South, then approached in his backyard and thrown to the ground.
The attacker took cash from the man’s wallet before kicking him in the face and fleeing.
Sen-Constable Mahon said the man had followed the victim onto a train at Box Hill station, off the train at Nunawading station, and on and off the bus before pursuing him on foot.
He said police believed the “very cowardly acts” were opportunistic crimes.
He advised anyone fearful of similar attacks to “be alert not alarmed”.
“Just be aware of your surroundings,” he said. “Don’t go around carrying large amounts of cash if you can avoid it.”
The detective urged anyone who might recognise the man, described as “a quite solid lad”, 180cm and caucasian, to contact police.
“We need to get this bloke off the streets. If anyone out there knows who this person is you need to contact us straight away.”
Police have released an image of the man from CCTV footage.
Anyone with information on either incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online.
MORE NEWS
‘White Australia’ fundraiser raises $27k in just eight days
A crowd-funding page created by a controversial neo-Nazi figure has raised more than $27,000 to help “create a home for white people in Australia”.
Like a dame: Lilydale property up for heritage protection
A historic Lilydale home with links to renowned opera singer Dame Nellie Melba, is up for heritage protection, as the hills strengthen its links with the famed opera singer.