By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
A BLIND woman says her confidence has been shaken after having her bag snatched from her shoulder on the way from Parkmore shopping centre, Keysborough yesterday.
With just her three-year-old guide dog for company, the woman had her black bag with a bow stolen from behind by an unknown thief about 1.30pm.
Police say the thief then escaped in a dark-coloured car, which may have been driven by an accomplice.
The bag — a birthday gift from a friend — contained the woman’s purse, mobile phone and personal belongings.
Senior Constable Matthew Lavery-Stephens said the ‘‘deplorable’’ crime deliberately targeted a person who couldn’t protect themselves.
‘‘It should strike at the heart of the community. It was a violent act committed by people that are cowards.’’
The woman, who didn’t wish to be identified, was visibly shaken as she recalled the theft to a media throng at Dandenong police station this afternoon.
With only limited vision to her left side, she said her dog could offer no protection since it was trained to guide, not to attack people.
‘‘It’s given my confidence a bit of a shake. It’s the lowest act, just appalling,’’ she said. ‘‘[They’re] low-life scum.’’
She thanked a woman who came to her aid and rang the police soon after the attack.
