Knife attack

By Bridget Cook
A SPRINGVALE woman said she feared for her life when she was robbed at knifepoint by two thieves in a Dandenong Plaza car park on Friday evening.
Emilie, 24, went to Dandenong Plaza to pick up some groceries on Friday about 5.50pm.
She said she had got out of her car and walked towards the entrance when she realised she had forgotten her phone, and turned back.
As she returned to her car and reached in to get her phone, a man grabbed her from behind by her hair.
She said when she screamed the man put his hand over her mouth and pushed her against the side of her car.
He then held a knife to her throat while the second offender searched her vehicle.
“Basically, he had me pinned and I was told not to move or I would end up badly hurt,” she said.
“I co-operated and then they ran off.”
The pair escaped with Emilie’s purse, containing cash and bank cards, a GPS and digital camera. She sustained scratches to her arm and neck during the robbery.
The men were last seen running towards the level-three vehicle exit-ramp at the Myer end of the shopping centre.
Emilie said she was a mess as the scene unfolded.
“During the whole ordeal, I was freaked out to be honest,” she said. “I was stressed, I was scared. I was a mess, especially because I didn’t know what they were going to do to me.
“I couldn’t believe what was happening … I was scared for my life.”
Emilie said after the men ran off, she jumped straight in her car.
“I locked all the doors and just sat there hyperventilating,” she said.
“I called my partner who came straight from work, we then contacted the police and they took it from there.”
Emilie said the ordeal has had a lasting effect on her.
“I’m scared to even go out in public now, let alone go back to the area,” she said.
“It has scarred me, I’m too scared to even go down the street to the shop to pick up some milk. I probably have to look into some counselling to help get over this.”
Emilie said all she hoped for was that these men were caught.
Frankston Embona Detective Senior Constable Mark Garrett appealed for everyone shopping at Dandenong Plaza on Friday evening to think about any suspicious activity they may have witnessed.
“At 5.50pm on a Friday evening we expect the car park would have been quite busy with cars coming and going and pedestrian traffic,” he said.
“We would like to speak to anyone who noticed two people loitering in that area or fleeing from the scene to contact Crime Stoppers.”
Police are appealing for anyone with information regarding the incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppers.com.au.