Glen Eira College teen stabbed in alleged Neerim Rd, Glen Huntly abduction

Police are probing if the abduction of a “bright” and “talented” year nine boy outside his school is part of a string of violent attacks in which offenders are deliberately targeting young people.

Police are hunting people who allegedly attacked a teenager near Glen Eira College in Glenhuntly on Monday afternoon.

Police are investigating whether the abduction of a “bright” and “talented” year nine boy outside his school is part of a string of violent attacks in which offenders are deliberately targeting young people.

The 14-year-old student from Glen Eira College was on Tuesday night in a serious but stable condition at the Royal Children’s Hospital with suspected head and abdominal injuries following what police have labelled a “heinous” attack.

The boy was walking with a group of friends outside the college on Neerim Rd in Glen Huntly after school about 3.30pm when the group, armed with machetes and a box cutter, allegedly pulled him into a grey Volkswagen Tiguan and demanded he hand over his phone and other belongings.

They then threw the boy out of the car near the intersection at Neerim and Grange roads in a critical condition where witnesses reported seeing him coughing up blood.

The scene on Neerim Rd Glen Huntly where a group of thugs allegedly pulled a 14-year-old boy into a car and attacked him. Picture: Wayne Taylor

Investigators say violent thieves appeared to be deliberately targeting young people, with another group of four teenagers allegedly set upon by two machete-wielding assailants on Kambrook Rd just 10 minutes before the near-fatal attack.

A teacher, who has taught the 14-year-old victim for two years, told the Herald Sun the school community had been left shocked by the attack.

“He is a talented, well-mannered and bright young man. To think that this could happen in our school community is truly shocking,” he said.

“He comes from a really good family and I am thinking of them during this time. He is really lucky to be alive.

“I can’t stress enough that this was a random attack, but it has rattled staff and students at the school.

“I hope those responsible are caught soon, this should have never happened.”

Police are searching for the occupants of a grey Volkswagen Tiguan. Picture: Wayne Taylor

Detective Senior Sergeant Lisa Watson said investigators were probing “a number of other incidents” that could be related to the attack.

“As a parent it makes me absolutely sick that my boy could be walking home from school and randomly confronted by people with knives,” she said.

“We know of the two incidents in Caulfield and Glen Huntly yesterday, further incidents we have information on. Mobile phones were taken and I believe some other personal belongings.”

Sergeant Watson could not confirm that the teen had been stabbed and police have not yet spoken to him.

One father said his son witnessed the boy, who is a friend of his, being allegedly stabbed and dragged into the car as the offenders demanded his phone.

“The four of them were walking home … the (group) asked them what type of mobile phones they had,” he told 3AW.

“Thank god there was an off-duty ambulance … very close to where it happened.”

The mother of another 15-year-old girl who was walking home in a nearby Caulfield street with a group of friends said a similar vehicle involved in the later assault approached them wielding machetes and demanding their phones.

Police are calling for information on the horror attack. Picture: Wayne Taylor

“There was a group of them in the car and they had machetes. They started yelling at them to give them their things,” she told 3AW.

“They said give me your jacket and your phones … thankfully (the students) did that and the (group) drove off.

“They all had machetes, every one of them.”

Firefighters discovered a torched Volkswagen Tiguan in Dandenong early on Tuesday morning and police are investigating whether that vehicle was connected to the violent Glen Huntly assault.

A Department of Education spokesman said it was “a horrible situation, and our thoughts go out to the student and their family and friends at this incredibly difficult time”.

“Glen Eira Secondary college has spoken to all students around safe practices when travelling to and from school, and remains in close contact with Victoria Police,” a spokesman said.

“Wellbeing supports are being provided for staff and students.”

Anyone who has information about the incidents should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.