Snappys Pizza Glenroy: Pizza delivery man slashed across the face

Police are urging the community not to give up the search for an “opportunistic” offender who slashed a young pizza delivery driver across the face.

A young Glenroy pizza delivery driver has returned home from hospital after an alleged assault during a late-night job left him with “life-changing” injuries.

An unknown male allegedly ambushed the 22-year-old driver from behind on Apsley St, near the Cardinal Rd intersection, just after 12am last Thursday, July 7, demanding he hand over his wallet and mobile phone before slashing his face with a sharp object.

Police said the alleged attacker — described as 183cm, “dark-skinned,” and wearing a black puffer jacket at the time of the incident — got away with the wallet but not the phone.

It was unknown whether he had fled on foot or by car, or whether the two men had exchanged words before the attack.

Staff at Wheatsheaf Rd pizza and kebab shop Snappys confirmed the driver was discharged from the Royal Melbourne Hospital earlier this week after surgery on a deep laceration from the corner of his mouth to his cheek.

Darebin crime investigation unit detectives have released images of a man that may be able to assist with their inquiries. Pictures: Victoria Police

The young man was “doing OK,” a workmate said, as Fawkner Embona Taskforce detective Senior Constable Tom Gall confirmed no suspects had been interviewed or charged in relation to the incident as of Tuesday, July 12.

“We are following a number of avenues of enquiry,” Constable Gall said.

“The victim has been unable to provide more of a description.”

Anyone with information is urged to phone Crime Stoppers.

With a violent offender still on the loose, police are urging members of the public who live in the immediate area to check their CCTV cameras — including any Ring Doorbell activations — for the period just prior to the offence for any person acting suspiciously in and around the front of their property.

Police previously described the incident as a particularly “savage” and “brazen” unprovoked assault but assured the community they were doing all they could to apprehend the alleged offender.

A late-night Glenroy pizza order was abandoned after the delivery driver was allegedly ambushed by an armed robber on Apsley St. Picture: Kirra Grimes

“My message to the offender is that we will find you,” Constable Gall told a media conference at the scene in the hours after the incident, as uniform officers scoured the area for evidence.

“We’re putting a lot of resources into catching this offender and trying to identify them.”

Anyone with CCTV footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 18000 333 000 or submit an online report.