"The woman involved told her the accident was her own fault."
Incident Details
On Anzac Day at approximately 1:00 PM, at La Vallee Cafe on Keilor Rd in Essendon, a female customer struck plates being carried by a waitress. The impact caused the plates to break and strike the waitress in the face. The entire incident was captured on CCTV.
Injuries and Impact
The waitress, identified as Anaïs, a French national on a working holiday in Australia, suffered a chipped tooth and bleeding.
Aftermath
La Vallee Cafe posted the CCTV footage on Instagram seeking assistance in identifying the woman. The video received nearly 3 million views within 24 hours. The cafe reported receiving messages of support from the local community.
A local dentist offered free dental work for the waitress. Billionaire Adrian Portelli offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the identification of the woman.
Police Statement
Victoria Police stated that an investigation into the incident is underway and urged anyone who recognizes the woman to contact them.
Description of Suspect
The woman in the footage was wearing:
- A black long sleeve top
- Light blue jeans
- Sunglasses
- A silver necklace with a charm
- She was carrying plastic bottles of iced-coffee and a black jacket