By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
AN ELDERLY man has been attacked and robbed at knifepoint by two men while visiting a friend’s grave on a weekend afternoon in Springvale Botantical Cemetery’s gardens.
The man, 71, of Springvale, was walking past the cemetery when he decided to visit the recently-deceased friend’s resting place about 3.30pm on 21 June.
“When he gets melancholy, he likes to walk around the garden,” Detective Senior Constable Dean Hedge of Greater Dandenong police’s Embona taskforce said.
He said the “vulnerable” man had been “shaken up” by the armed robbery.
The victim was approached by a man, described as of Asian appearance, in his 30s, with short dark hair and wearing white sneakers, near the cemetery’s main entrance on Princes Highway.
The victim was then grabbed in a headlock from behind by a second male.
When the victim was on the ground, the first man has produced a 20-30 centimetre long knife and threatened to kill the victim if he didn’t co-operate.
The first man held down the victim, while the second man stole cash from the victim’s pockets.
The assailants fled by foot alongside a wall near Browns Road.
Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
