Overseas student attacked and robbed

By Shaun Inguanzo
A 26-YEAR-OLD handicapped man who was punched repeatedly as he tried to escape the wrath of two thieves on Sunday is urging overseas students not to live in Dandenong.
Manoj Kumar is on exchange from India while he studies hospitality at the Carrick Institute of Education in Bourke Street, Melbourne. Police said Mr Kumar was walking home from Dandenong Train Station along Pickett Street at 5.50pm on Sunday.
Two people leapt from behind a fence near the corner of Cadd Lane and approached Mr Kumar, punching him until he fell to the ground.
Mr Kumar told Star the two thieves said nothing to him as they punched him in the nose, breaking it.
“One took out my wallet from behind while the other one was in front of me, and they hit me two times on my nose,” Mr Kumar said.
“Unfortunately I did not understand what was happening, or what they wanted. They were not saying to me anything, they only hit me.”
Mr Kumar’s right leg is handicapped after a brush with polio, and while he can walk, the Indian exchange student cannot run.
Detective Senior Constable Stuart Freeman of the Greater Dandenong Crime Investigation Unit said Mr Kumar had tried to crawl away but was continually bashed by the thieves.
After stealing Mr Kumar’s wallet – which contained $100 – the thieves fled and left the student lying on the ground.
Using his mobile phone, Mr Kumar rang a friend who rushed to his aid and took him to Dandenong Hospital, where Mr Kumar waited three hours to have his broken nose tended to by medical staff.
Afterwards Mr Kumar went to Dandenong Police Station to report the matter.
Det Sen Const Freeman said police were appalled by the incident.
“I believe this is a particularly callous, unprovoked attack,” he said. “To pick on the infirm …is just disgusting.”
Mr Kumar, clearly traumatised by the incident, said he would urge other exchange students to live anywhere but Dandenong after the random assault and theft.
“I don’t know what they wanted, they did not say anything,” he said.
“They did not ask me anything, they just hit me and took out my wallet.
“I can definitely say that overseas students aren’t safe here.”
Mr Kumar said he believed the attackers could have been women, but investigations by Dandenong’s Crime Investigation Unit have not determined the attackers’ genders.
One is described as aged in the mid-20s, tall, of Caucasian appearance and wearing a blue hooded top. The other is believed to be aged between 17 and 19, of medium height, Caucasian appearance and wearing a cream top.
Police are calling for anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.