Get a bloody job!

By Shaun Inguanzo
THE pickpocketing predator who stalked and assaulted an elderly man for his wallet should try earning a “decent bloody crust”, his victim says.
Dandenong’s Ron Rowe, 66, said he was lucky his new titanium knees were not damaged when his assailant stole his wallet and pushed him to the ground last week.
Mr Rowe had little cash in the wallet and quickly cancelled his cards to prevent further theft.
But he said the incident had dented his pride and proved that there were “some bad buggers” out there.
Police Senior Constable Karla Dennis said the assault and theft happened in a Dandenong Plaza car park on Thursday, 7 September.
She said police believed the pickpocket might have stalked Mr Rowe from the bank, where he deposited money that afternoon, through the complex and to his car.
Mr Rowe said he felt someone brush against his back pocket as he entered the car park.
“I was walking along and could feel someone behind me, so I looked over my shoulder and thought I’d move to the left to let whoever it was past,” Mr Rowe said.
“But they didn’t go past, even when I moved to the left again.
“Next minute someone grabbed my back pocket and reefed me back, and (the pickpocket) just ran away with my wallet.”
Mr Rowe said he couldn’t remember what happened next but somehow he was knocked to the ground.
One witness told police that the pickpocket pushed Mr Rowe to the ground where he landed on his knees, then his back.
Mr Rowe had knee replacements last December and April this year but said they did not suffer any damage in the fall.
“I am the Titanium Man, I’ve got two new knees,” he said. “There’s no damage to them, only to my bloody pride.”
An angry Mr Rowe said he hoped police could catch the man to stop him targeting more of the city’s elderly people.
“He will only do it to someone else,” he said. “It’s a despicable act. I don’t know why he doesn’t go and bloody work to earn his own money.”
Mr Rowe said he was grateful to those who stopped and helped him.
“I have always known there have been some bad buggers out there, but it restored my faith in human nature when another bloke stopped to call the police,” he said.
Sen Const Dennis said the thief fled the car park up a flight of stairs and into Foster Street towards central Dandenong.
She said the pickpocket was believed to be aged in his late 20s or early 30s, had an olive complexion and a solid build.
According to witnesses he appeared to be balding with some brown hair.
At the time of the incident he was seen wearing black track pants with a white stripe, a fawn or light-coloured top and white runners.
Any information should be reported to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.