POLICE believe two failed robberies on women walking alone are linked.
Greater Dandenong CIU Detective Senior Constable Bree Jarvis said a 32-year-old Dandenong woman was walking along Cambria Road, Keysborough, about 7.05am on 12 October.
A silver four-wheel drive pulled up ahead of her and a man exited via the front passenger door.
He approached the victim, tried to grab her handbag from her arm but fled back to the vehicle when she fought back.
The 4WD left the scene north along Cambria Road.
Det Sen Const Jarvis said an eight-minute drive away, a 15-year-old girl from Noble Park was walking along Elonera Road.
She was using her mobile phone when, at 7.23am, a man of Sudanese appearance approached her from opposite direction and demanded the device.
When she refused, the man pushed her to the ground, lifted her upper body and threw her back down.
The victim held onto the phone and the man fled to a silver 4WD parked 20 metres away.
She suffered grazes to the back of her neck and a scratch to her right arm.
Call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 with any information.
