Victoria Police Investigate Separate Teenage Assaults in Melbourne

Victoria Police Investigating Separate Teen Violence Incidents Across Melbourne

Victoria Police are conducting separate investigations into two distinct incidents involving teenagers in Melbourne. One investigation focuses on an attack in Caroline Springs on December 30, where two 15-year-old brothers were reportedly assaulted by a group of teenagers, with one assailant armed with a machete. The other incident, which occurred on Tuesday night in St Kilda, involves a 17-year-old male who was reportedly slashed with a knife and then run over multiple times by a stolen vehicle. Police are appealing for public assistance in both cases.

St Kilda Incident: Teenager Slashed and Run Over

On Tuesday night, shortly after 10 PM, a 17-year-old male from Prahran was involved in an altercation in St Kilda. The incident began in a McDonald's drive-through on The Esplanade when the victim's Kia vehicle was reportedly rammed from behind by a stolen Mazda.

Following the collision, one of three males from the Mazda exited his vehicle, armed with a knife, and reportedly slashed the 17-year-old through an open passenger-side window.

The Kia then departed the restaurant but was pursued by the Mazda into a dead-end street, identified as St Leonards Avenue. The 17-year-old and a friend exited the Kia, attempting to escape on foot. The three pursuers then took control of the abandoned Kia and reportedly ran over the injured teenager multiple times with his own vehicle.

Witness accounts described the car running over the victim once, then reversing to do so a second time.

The 17-year-old victim was later located on St Leonards Avenue with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, including a knife wound and injuries consistent with being run over. He was transported to The Alfred hospital, where he remains in serious condition.

The stolen Mazda was abandoned at the scene. Two of the alleged attackers subsequently drove the Kia a short distance before abandoning it on Fitzroy Street. A third individual fled the scene on foot.

Police are searching for three individuals involved in the attack. Two of the alleged attackers have been described as approximately 175cm tall, of African descent, and wearing dark clothing. Law enforcement units involved in the search included uniform officers, the Critical Incident Response Team, Dog Squad, Public Order Response Team, and the Air Wing.

Investigations are ongoing to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding the incident and to determine whether the parties involved were previously known to each other.

Caroline Springs Incident: Machete Attack on Teenagers

Victoria Police are seeking public assistance regarding an incident that occurred in Caroline Springs, Melbourne's west, on December 30 at approximately 5:40 PM.

Two 15-year-old brothers reported being lured to a park off Garretty Road. Upon arrival, they encountered a group of 11 teenagers. During the encounter, the victims were reportedly attacked.

One offender was observed to be armed with a machete.

Witnesses in the vicinity contacted emergency services. Police subsequently located the injured individuals nearby. One of the brothers sustained slash wounds to an arm and his back, while the other incurred facial injuries. Both were transported to a hospital for serious injuries. The individuals involved in the attack departed the scene prior to police arrival.

Investigators have been informed that the incident stemmed from an online dispute between the brothers and individuals unknown to them.

Police have released vision depicting a group of males, estimated to be between 15 and 18 years of age, in Caroline Springs. Information suggests that seven of the individuals arrived in the area driving a black Ford Ranger ute, which reportedly displayed false registration plates DRY685. The vehicle was parked several hundred meters away on Boathouse Drive. CCTV footage shows eight individuals departing in the vehicle, while the remaining three were observed running towards Lorimer Street.

Detectives are appealing to the public for assistance in identifying any individuals based on distinctive clothing items.

Appeal for Public Assistance

Police have requested that anyone with information or who witnessed the vehicles or incidents involved in either case contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.