By CASEY NEILL
Robbery victim sends fake firearm attackers packing…
A NOBLE Park man, 45, made a dangerous assumption as he stared down the barrel of what turned out to be a fake gun outside his home last week.
Three men – one brandishing the fake firearm – entered his Moya Crescent front yard and demanded money about 5.25am on Monday 25 November as he and a woman, 40, were leaving for work.
But the terrifying robbery occurred as Victoria Police figures revealed a 17.1 per cent drop in robberies in the Greater Dandenong police service area (PSA) between 1 October last year and 30 September this year, compared with the previous 12 months.
Despite being under attack, the man identified the weapon as an imitation and challenged the thief.
“On this occasion the victims were lucky,” Greater Dandenong CIU Detective Acting Sergeant Luke Kirton said.
“We’d certainly dissuade anyone in those circumstances from confronting someone believing their gun is an imitation.
“It’s not worth risking your life.”
The other two thieves approached the woman, demanded money and stole her purse.
She chased them to Leslie Street where they produced a metal pole from a car and struck her.
They then fled in the vehicle, described as a silver four-door sports sedan with a rear spoiler and covered registration plates.
An ambulance took the woman to Dandenong Hospital for treatment for minor head injuries.
The attackers are all described as aged in their early 20s, Indian or Sri Lankan with a medium build.
The man brandishing the weapon was about 182 centimetres tall with short, black curly hair and was wearing black tracksuit pants with white stripes and a black hoodie.
The other two were 182cm and 175cm tall and were wearing dark clothing.
Overall crime increased 9 per cent in Greater Dandenong in 12 months, Victoria Police figures released last Wednesday showed, compared to a 4.6 per cent increase state-wide.
Greater Dandenong Inspector Bruce Kitchen said motor vehicle thefts were down 17.1 per cent, but street assaults, property damage incidents and residential burglaries had increased.
“Rest assured local police are addressing these issues through planned operations and strategic daily tasking of the Safe Suburbs Task Force, uniform members from Springvale and Dandenong police stations, our local criminal investigation unit and newly-formed Tactical Anti-Crime Teams (TACT),” he said.
Mr Kitchen said the Greater Dandenong Family Violence Unit continued to have a significant impact on repeat offenders and a vast improvement on police referrals and reporting.
“It is our view that these strategies will help break the cycle of violence and make the family home safer,” he said.
Protective Services Officers (PSOs) have now been deployed to four railway stations within the area – Dandenong, Noble Park, Sandown Park and Springvale.
“A reduction in criminal offences at these locations has continued with their presence,” Mr Kitchen said.
He said officers would continue community engagement projects to tackle youth crime, partnering with other government agencies and community support groups.
“In the coming months you will see local uniform police at shopping centres and other public places answering your questions, offering advice and asking how police can do things better for you,” he said.
The Noble Park attackers were described as in their early 20s, of Indian or Sri Lankan heritage with medium builds.
The man brandishing the fake gun was about 182 centimetres tall with short, black curly hair and was wearing black tracksuit pants with white stripes and a black hoodie.
The other two attackers were 182cm and 175cm tall and were also wearing dark clothing.
Call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
