Newsagent Sue Welch fights off alleged carjacker on newspaper route

An early morning newspaper route took a terrifying turn when a delivery vehicle was hijacked.

A 70-year-old woman has fought off a carjacker-turned-kidnapper with “a few punches” during a terrifying inner-city attack.

Newsagents David and Sue Welch were delivering papers in Richmond near their Bridge Rd business on Thursday morning when the frightening ambush took place.

Mr Welch left his car about 7.10am with his wife remaining seated in the back when a male assailant emerged from a Nissan X trail, invaded the Kia Sportage and sped away.

“My car started driving at me — someone else was driving it,” Mr Welch told the Herald Sun.

“I don’t think he realised my wife was in the back seat.

“I thought ‘bloody hell’ as it did some hard revs. They were trying to steal the car — some bludgers trying to take advantage of us.

“You put in the hours and they want to take your hard earned money away from you.”

Yarra Crime Investigation Unit detectives are appealing for public assistance following a theft of motor vehicle in Richmond.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

The couple, both aged 70, have worked tirelessly to run their popular local newsagency for 25 years.

Mrs Welch said it was extraordinarily the second time she had been carjacked on their routine paper run.

“I refused to get out of the car this time,” Mrs Welch said.

“He drove, we hit a car, I gave him a few punches, he stopped, wiped down the steering wheel and left.”

Senior Constable Daniel Noy from the Yarra Crime Investigation Unit said the car drove erratically, colliding with another vehicle before it was dumped about 400m away.

“It is shocking and scary the offenders have targeted a defenceless elderly couple,” Con Noy said.

“The victim actually confronted the offender, so he pulled over a few streets away.

“It seemed pre-planned. But they wouldn’t have known when they entered the car she was inside.

“You don’t have to be a kid to be kidnapped — the same principle applies when you forcibly take someone. Luckily they are OK, a bit shaken but no injuries.”

CCTV footage shows a man police wish to speak with in relation to the incident.

Both crime scenes were cordoned off for some hours and processed for forensic evidence.

Police are looking for two caucasian males aged 30-40 years old.

The alleged offender who jumped in the vehicle is described as 5 foot 10, medium to solid build with a round face. He wore a black cap, grey jumper and grey tracksuit pants.

Con Noy added: “We are working really hard to track down who the offenders are, to make sure they aren’t able to target innocent victims any further.”

Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.