Victoria Police are searching for a group who slashed and struck a 17-year-old boy with a car in Melbourne’s inner city.
A grey Kia pulled into a McDonald’s car park on The Esplanade at St Kilda just after 10 p.m. on Feb. 3.
It is understood that a stolen white Mazda followed the Kia and crashed into the back of it near the drive thru.
One of the male occupants got out of the Mazda, started striking the Kia, and slashed the passenger, a 17-year-old boy, with a weapon.
The Kia left the car park, followed by the Mazda, and headed towards Acland Street, then down St. Leonards Avenue, where it reached a dead end, according to a Feb. 4 statement by Victoria Police.
Detectives say the two male occupants of the Kia then got out and tried to flee on foot.
Meanwhile, the group in the Mazda abandoned their vehicle, stole the Kia, and drove off. Shortly after, the 17-year-old boy from the Prahran area was found on St Leonards Avenue with serious injuries and taken to the hospital.
“Police believe the teen was deliberately struck by the Kia,” a spokesperson said.
“The Kia was abandoned nearby on Fitzroy Street and officers were told two male occupants of African appearance fled from the vehicle towards Beaconsfield Parade.”
Uniformed officers, along with the Critical Incident Response Team, Dog Squad, and Public Order Response Team, conducted a search of the area with support from the Air Wing.
Witness Heard a Massive Crash
A witness who lives on the street where the incident occurred said she heard a massive crash, ran downstairs, and saw the second car running over people from the first car.
“The car ran over him the first time and then reversed over him to get him the second time,” she told ABC.
“The people jumped out and stabbed him in the face and then that victim ran away.”
Detective Inspector Mark Patrick informed reporters at the scene that the offences were of a very grave nature.
“The crimes are serious. The offenders have no humanity, these offenders—behaviour like dogs, rabid dogs is what I'd call these behaviours,” he said.
No arrests have been made so far, and investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances and if the individuals are known to each other.
Detectives are urging anyone who witnessed the incidents or saw the two vehicles in the St Kilda area just before 10 p.m. to come forward with any information, including footage.
Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 / www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
