Police investigate gang muggings, assaults in Melbourne

Victoria Police are investigating a string of incidents at St Kilda involving what is believed to be teenagers of African appearance.

Victoria Police has released CCTV after an incident at Donovan's in St Kilda. Picture: Victoria Police.

Victoria Police are investigating a string of frightening incidents at St Kilda last night involving what is believed to be teenagers of African appearance, including a mugging and an assault, after observers reported seeing a lone chef defending himself with a shovel against a gang of more than ten.

A police spokesman confirmed this morning Victoria Police was investigating two incidents at St Kilda overnight, including reports a man had his phone and wallet stolen after being surrounded by a gang of 10-15 males, and another incident in which a 25-year-old man was assaulted.

According to the police, a man was walking on Jacka Boulevard when he was approached by another man who demanded his phone and wallet about 10pm.

A group of about 10-15 males surrounded the victim and assaulted him, stealing his phone. The 23-year-old victim was assessed on scene for minor injuries.

At about 10.35pm, a 25-year-old man in the same area was approached by a group of youths and assaulted. Police understand the offenders tried to take the man’s wallet, but were unsuccessful.

The victim received minor lacerations to his head during the incident and was treated on scene. Another man, who was with the victim, was also assessed at the scene but did not require any treatment.

“The offenders in both incidents are perceived to be of African appearance,” police said.

Police confirmed the investigation after a number of listeners called 3AW’s Neil Mitchell with reports that chefs of an up-market restaurant chased a number of youths of African appearance away with kitchen knives, after an incident at the restaurant.

Eyewitness John, from Albert Park, told the radio station and The Australian that he had seen a group of teenagers of African appearance running towards a chef on Jacka Boulevard who was defending himself with a shovel.

Speaking to The Australian, he said he believed someone could have been killed in the incident.

“I initially thought it was a Hallowe’en prank, but then I realised ‘hang on, this is real’ when I had to swerve to avoid hitting the guy,” the telecommunications worker said.

“And this chef was running backwards, and he tripped on the median strip before having to get back up again and keep running.

“Any car coming down the street could have hit him. It was a life or death situation, he had ten or fifteen kids surrounding him and they were coming for him. They really wanted to get him.”

The observer said he saw another fifteen or twenty youths of African appearance in a neighbouring carpark watching on as the group ran after the chef.

He also said he saw the group chasing the chef throw a witches hat at the man, which then hit his moving car.

Victoria Police said they are investigating whether the two incidents are linked.

Investigators are speaking to a number of witnesses and looking for any footage that is relevant to the incident.