Man choked, punched in random Lara bus assault

A man who was assaulted on a Lara bus in an unprovoked attack says residents are “fed up” with rising crime in the area.

A man was assaulted by another man in an unprovoked attack on a bus in Lara. Picture: Brad Fleet

A young man was choked and punched multiple times in an unprovoked attack on a Lara bus.

The victim, who wished to remain anonymous, said he was about to get off the bus on Station Lake Rd on Saturday morning when he was attacked.

“As I was getting off the bus, he started screaming and yelling about a jacket, then he punched me in the side of the head,” the 20-year-old said.

“Before I could see what was happening, he grabbed me around the neck and started choking me.

“He punched me multiple times in the face.”

The alleged offender, wearing a North Face puffer jacket, then tried to get back on the bus but the doors had closed so he then followed the victim down the street before the man sought refuge at a nearby business.

The alleged offender captured on CCTV. Picture: Supplied

Police were called but were unable to attend the assault and now are investigating the incident.

Geelong Local Area Commander Acting Inspector Nicholas Uebergang said police have identified a person of interest.

“At the time of the incident, local officers were responding to another incident and were unable to attend,” he said.

“However, police have since spoken with the victim at Lara police station and the investigation is progressing well given we have identified a person of interest.”

The victim said the offender, who got on the bus after him, did not seem to be acting abnormally before the attack.

The man often uses public transport and said the incident has left him “mentally shaken”.

“These kinds of things are happening on an almost daily occurrence (in Lara),” he said.

“We’re getting incidents almost every day on (Facebook) notice boards of people saying there has been a break-in or a burglary.

“Every house has CCTV now.

“The community in general is just completely fed up with it and something needs to be done now.”

Lara station is only open on weekdays from 8am to 4pm.

“Unfortunately here in the Lara area, we’re sitting ducks at the moment,” the victim said.

Inspector Uebergang said everyone deserved to feel safe when travelling to and from work, without the fear of being assaulted.

“We understand the community’s concern,” he said.

“Local police in Lara remain focused on regular patrols in busy areas including public transport hubs and shopping precincts, to keep the community safe and hold offenders to account.

“There has been a slight increase in recorded offences over the past year, primarily driven by retail theft and theft from motor vehicles.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident, has dashcam or CCTV footage or information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or log onto www.crimestoppers.com.au.

Originally published as Man choked, punched in random Lara bus assault