Alleged thief fighting for his life after targeting a charity tin at a Corio takeaway store
A man has been interviewed over an alleged bat attack on a man who was believed to be robbing a Corio takeaway shop, as police attempt to stack up the “complex” incident.
Geelong
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A man remains in a critical condition after he was allegedly struck by a bat-wielding man during a foiled break-in attempt at a Corio takeaway store.
It’s understood the man was attempting to steal a charity tin containing $15 from Rays Fish and Chip & Pizza shop when he was confronted by a passer-by who struck the alleged thief in the head with a bat.
The man sustained life-threatening injuries and was flown to The Alfred hospital around 5am on Monday. A spokesman confirmed on Tuesday that he was still in hospital in a critical condition.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said it was “too early to say” if the bat-wielding man would be charged.
“We have to investigate the matter fully, given the life-threatening circumstances of that person who is in hospital,” Mr Patton told 3AW on Tuesday.
“We have the Homicide Squad investigating. They will be stepping through all of the circumstances, all of the forensic evidence and, as I understand, they interviewed the other male who is involved.”
That man, a 31-year-old from Corio, was released on Monday night pending further inquiries.
Mr Patton said the case was “complex” and urged people to call triple-0 if they saw a robbery unfolding.
He said that in circumstances where a person was trying to stop offending, “the use of force has to be not disproportionate to what they were trying to do at the time in terms of preventing the commission of that offence”.
The Corangamite Dve shop was closed on Monday as police scoured the scene. By Tuesday it had reopened and the smashed window had been boarded up.
The owner, who is believed to have recently take over operating the shop, declined to comment on the incident.
Police are still appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward by contacting Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Foiled Corio robbery over $15 charity tin: witness
A man is fighting for his life after he was allegedly hit by a bat-wielding man during a foiled robbery at a Corio takeaway shop.
Police were called to Rays Fish and Chips & Pizza shop about 5am on Monday after the alleged robber was confronted by a passer-by.
It is understood the man, who was on Monday night in a critical condition at The Alfred Hospital, was attempting to steal a Barwon Health Foundation charity tin containing $15.
Homicide Squad detectives took over investigations late on Monday afternoon.
The 31-year-old Corio resident who intervened is believed to have struck the alleged thief in the head as he attempted to leave through the smashed window.
Other media outlets have reported the neighbour used a ‘bat-like’ weapon.
A neighbour, in Cloverdale Dve, said her partner heard banging and thought a nearby house was getting robbed.
“The area has been so good recently, it used to be very rough,” she said.
The woman said the business had just been taken over by a new owner about a fortnight ago.
“She was a little shaken up. She was there not long after and she saw the aftermath, the person didn’t get away with anything. She saw the man on the ground,” she said.
“He has been a customer, she recognised his face.”
Another resident who lives on Corangamite Dve, a few doors down from the business said she believed the man who prevented the robbery had been known to investigate odd noises around that shopping strip where the business is located.
Police said the 31-year-old man was assisting police with their inquiries.
An Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman said the injured man was air lifted to The Alfred Hospital where he is in a life-threatening condition.
The business said on social media: “Due to someone breaking into the shop this morning we won’t be open for lunch today and not sure about tonight, sorry for any inconvenience”.
A later post read: “Unfortunately we won’t be open today but hopefully we will be open tomorrow lunch.”
Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward.
They are also appealing for anyone with information about the identity of the men involved to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report via www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Alleged crook critical after burglary gone wrong
A Corio takeaway shop remains closed after an attempted burglary turned violent in the early hours on Monday, police say.
Police were called to Rays Fish and Chips & Pizza shop at around 5am following reports of an altercation taking place between a man alleged to have been breaking into the shop and a member of the public.
An ambulance spokeswoman said the man, who was believed to be breaking into the Corangamite Drive business, was flown to The Alfred Hospital in a critical condition after sustaining upper body injuries.
Victoria police say the exact circumstances surrounding the incident are yet to be determined.
Police officers were still at the scene at 10:30am on June 20, with parts of the road remaining closed.
A Victoria police spokeswoman said the man was in a “life-threatening condition.”
The member of the public is currently assisting police with their investigation.
On a post to Facebook the business said, “due to someone breaking into the shop this morning we won’t be open for lunch today and not sure about tonight, sorry for any inconvenience.”
Originally published as Alleged thief fighting for his life after targeting a charity tin at a Corio takeaway store
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