Police hunting for Todd ‘Rooster’ Menegaldo after Elizabeth St assault

The homicide squad is investigating an assault on a notorious CBD strip, with police releasing footage of a man they want to speak to.

A man is on the run after allegedly attacking an innocent pedestrian outside McDonalds on trouble-plagued Elizabeth St, with traders fearing it is only a matter of time until an incident on the strip turns deadly.

The homicide squad has now been called in to investigate the assault on the 44-year-old Seddon man who suffered head injuries following the fight on Wednesday night about 6.30pm.

“The Seddon man was walking on Elizabeth St from Flinders St when he was approached by a man and struck to the head,” a Victoria Police spokesperson said.

Police on the scene outside the McDonalds store on Elizabeth St. Picture: Supplied

Sources close to the incident say the Seddon man is not expected to survive his injuries.

He was on Friday night at the Royal Melbourne Hospital on life support.

CCTV footage has now been released of Todd Menegaldo, also known by the nickname “Rooster”, who detectives believe can help them with their inquiries.

Subway manager Pinder Singh, who works two doors down from McDonalds, told the Saturday Herald Sun his staff do not feel safe after Wednesday night’s attack.

“My staff were working and they’re scared to come back to work,” he said.

Police wish to speak with Todd Menegaldo following a CBD assault. Picture: Victoria Police

Mr Pinder said he has been worried for months that someone would lose their life on Elizabeth St after a man was assaulted outside the Dreams Gentlemen’s Club in December.

“Someone got attacked with a machete,” he said.

“There was a lot of blood last time.”

He added that business owners had met with police and proposed a permanent police hub be set up on the strip, but their pleas fell on deaf ears.

Ali Raza, who owns a phone repair shop across the road on Elizabeth St, said fellow shopkeepers know that violence on the strip was “normal”.

“I think there should always be police here,” he said.

“I know when there is police patrolling the streets, there is not any mess.”

The Flinders St end of Elizabeth St has become a hotspot for trouble in recent years. Picture: Supplied

Other workers, who did not wish to be named, said police had increased their presence since Wednesday, but hoped they would permanently patrol the area moving forward.

Lord Mayor Nick Reece said: “We are aware of an incident on Elizabeth St on Wednesday evening. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family, first responders and witnesses.

“Victoria Police has an active investigation underway. The City of Melbourne is assisting and will continue to help in any way possible.”

Mr Menegaldo is 180-185cm tall with a thin build and has a black and white crossbreed staffordshire terrier.

He is known to frequent Elizabeth St, Flinders Street Station, Bendigo and Mildura.

He was last seen wearing a purple zip-up jumper, dark jeans and a yellow beanie.

Police are advising anyone who sights Mr Menegaldo not to approach him but instead call triple-0 immediately.

Originally published as Police hunting for Todd ‘Rooster’ Menegaldo after Elizabeth St assault