Knife attack at HP store in Melbourne CBD caught on camera

WHEN this Melbourne city worker arrived to open his Collins St store at 8.30am he stumbled on a man prowling inside. Seconds later he was fleeing for his life as the attacker pulled a blade.

THE victim of a stabbing in Melbourne CBD has described the terrifying moment he was attacked as dramatic footage of it emerged.

Police this morning released the video in the hope it will help catch the man accused of stabbing Ronald Maskell last Wednesday as he opened the HP Experience Centre on Collins St.

Mr Maskell said he had been left shaken by the incident and was now nervous about leaving his house.

“I noticed the offender grabbing a bag and hiding to go through it,” Mr Maskell said.

“I said ‘what do you think you are doing, put the bag down and get out’.

“He came at me and I grabbed him to push him out of the store and he said ‘I’m going to stab you’.

“I then ran away but I had nowhere to go and he caught me and stabbed me.”

People nearby heard the commotion and the attacker ran off.

Stabbing victim Ronald Maskell. Picture: Richard Serong

Mr Maskell and his attacker scuffle inside the store.

The man wanted by police.

If you know this man contact Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.

Mr Maskell said he was lucky he was not more seriously injured.

“It is shocking that somebody is willing to use a knife like that so brazenly,” he said.

“The violence he used in the attack...I feel pretty lucky.

“He had four shots at me and only struck with the final blow.

“I was lucky not to be stabbed four times.

“The size of the blade was small but it was scary.

“Someone like this is not safe to be in society, they need to be handed into the police.”

Mr Maskell described the moment he saw blood coming out of the wound in his chest and feared the worst.

A passer-by helped him remove his shirt to stem the flow of blood.

“I just wanted to talk to my mum and get her on the phone,” he said.

“I went into self-preservation mode. I hope this man gets caught and answers for what he has done.”

Mr Maskell. Picture: Facebook

Mr Maskell said he believed the man was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the attack.

“He was not in a clear state of mind,” he said.

“I remember the facial reaction when I caught him with the bag. He was not right.”

The film footage shows the man snooping around the store about 8.40am.

He rifles through a bag before Mr Maskell walks in and confronts him.

The pair scuffle, before the man chases Mr Maskell, 35, out of the store.

Police allege the man then stabbed his victim in the upper body.

Mr Maskell suffered non-life threatening injuries and was treated in hospital.

His stabber fled the scene on foot, travelling east along Collins St.

After he was released from hospital the day of the attack, Mr Maskell told the Herald Sun: “While I don’t want to be in the limelight, I do want to say that I really appreciate the concern and support offered by my family, friends, colleagues, emergency services and the community.

“I’m in good care and hope to have a quick recovery.

“The Victoria Police are searching for the attacker and I urge the public’s assistance to identify and apprehend him.”

HP spokesman Luke Cuell said messages of support had flooded in from across Australia for Mr Maskell and the company was determined to help police catch the offender.

A witness who phoned police said the incident was “very low key”.

She was setting up displays in a downstairs bookshop when she heard what she thought was two men “shouting and scuffling”.

The man wanted for the attack is believed aged in his late 20s, about 180cm tall, with a tan complexion.

At the time of the attack he was wearing a blue 1980s style sports jacket, blue jeans and white runners.

Information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Originally published as Knife attack at HP store in Melbourne CBD caught on camera