By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Police have issued a warning about the dangers of walking alone around the Noble Park railway station at night after a series of recent street robberies.
The three robberies occurred within 500 metres of each other in consecutive nights.
In the first, a 40-year-old man was mugged of his phone by two males on Memorial Drive about 1am on 24 October.
The robbers were described as about 18-20 years and of Pacific Islander appearance.
After the robbery, they were seen meeting with a female on Memorial Drive then walking along Heatherton Road towards the train station.
About 11.20pm on 25 October, an 18-year-old Noble Park man was assaulted by a group of four males as he walked through Mills Reserve off Heartherton Road.
He was later treated at Dandenong Hospital for a broken nose, a laceration under his eye and a swollen lip.
His phone was stolen during the attack.
One of the offenders was described as Pacific Islander appearance, solid build and wearing a black hoodie.
The robbers were seen leaving and going back into the reserve.
Ten minutes later, a 26-year-old Noble Park man was approached by two males on Kelvinside Road.
The assailants demanded money. One of them grabbed the victim’s headphones and punched him to the face.
The victim retaliated, punching his attacker’s face and retrieving his headphones.
The robbers were described as dark-skinned and about 19-20 years old. One of them had beaded hair that was jawline length, and wore a blue jumper and jeans at the time.
Detective Senior Constable Tony Lavars, of Greater Dandenong CIU, called for extra caution while out in the surrounding streets and reserves, particularly at night.
“Given the escalation of similar incidents with offenders of similar descriptions, we ask people to exercise caution when walking through the Noble Park station and surrounds.”
Det Sen Const Lavars advised people to walk in numbers and walk during daylight.
“Don’t go through park areas where there are less pedestrians and vehicle traffic.”
Any information on the robberies to Greater Dandenong CIU on 9767 7487 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 and crimestoppersvic.com.au.
