By Casey Neill
A disabled woman robbed at knifepoint in Springvale described her attacker as “a very bad person”.
Police are appealing for public help to identify the BMX-riding bandit responsible for the “opportunistic” robbery on Heatherton Road about 4.30pm on Thursday 7 September.
They’ve released CCTV footage of a man they believe could assist with their investigation.
Detective Senior Constable Ben Oliver told a press conference it was “a disgusting attack on a clearly defenceless and vulnerable member of the community”.
“At this point we don’t have any witnesses who’ve come forward,” he said.
Det Sen Const Oliver said the victim was aged in her thirties and “barely able to stand on her own without the use of her mobility aid”.
She was walking home from a shopping trip when a man approached her from behind and tried to grab her handbag, which was strung over the top of her mobility aid.
She told the media that she yelled at her attacker to leave her alone but felt scared.
A struggle ensued and the woman fell to the ground. She was not injured.
Det Sen Const Oliver said the thief produced a 20 to 30 centimetre-long knife and demanded cash.
The victim said he pointed the knife towards her stomach.
She handed over money and he fled the scene on a silver and black BMX bike.
He was last seen heading west along Heatherton Road and then north on Hooker Avenue.
The victim made her way home, made a phone call and police were contacted.
She said she’d been in and out of hospital in recent years and became dizzy quickly.
She’s not sure if she’ll walk the same route again and described her attacker as a very bad person.
“The production of the knife after the woman has fallen to the ground is certainly concerning to us,” Det Sen Const Oliver said.
The bike bandit was wearing a distinctive red and pink helmet.
He was described as Asian in appearance, 160cm to 170cm tall, and was wearing a black hooded jumper and tracksuit pants with white basketball boots.
Call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au with any information.
CCTV footage of a man police would like to speak to:
