In a shocking and brutal incident that has left the community reeling, a teenager was viciously stabbed and then run over in his own vehicle in St Kilda. This attack was so appalling that it led a veteran police officer to comment on the complete lack of humanity displayed by the assailants, likening their behavior to that of rabid dogs.
The events unfolded around 10 PM on Tuesday night when two friends decided to grab a late-night snack at McDonald's, located near the prominent triangle in the bustling heart of St Kilda. As they navigated their white Kia into the drive-thru on The Esplanade, they were suddenly struck from behind.
This collision was initiated by one of three males who emerged from a stolen grey Mazda. Without hesitation, one of these individuals exited the vehicle and began violently attacking the doors of the Kia. Tragically, during this chaotic scene, a 17-year-old boy from Prahran was slashed with a knife by the assailant.
According to police reports, the injured teenager and his companion fled the parking lot in a panic, making their way towards Acland Street before turning onto St Leonards Avenue. However, they soon encountered a dead end, forcing them to abandon their vehicle and attempt to escape on foot.
Meanwhile, the trio of attackers, described as being around 175cm tall, of African descent, and clad in dark clothing, discarded their stolen car and commandeered the empty Kia. What happened next is particularly harrowing: they deliberately drove the Kia over the injured teenager, not just once, but twice.
Witnesses captured video footage of the Kia, which had a crumpled rear bumper, as it repeatedly backed up and moved forward on the street. One eyewitness recounted the horrifying moment, stating, "The car ran over him the first time and then reversed over him to get him a second time."
Detective Inspector Mark Patrick spoke to reporters about this heinous act, emphasizing the severity of the crimes involved and reiterating his earlier sentiments regarding the offenders' lack of compassion, comparing them to animals in a rabid frenzy.
After the incident, two of the alleged attackers took the Kia for a brief drive before abandoning it on nearby Fitzroy Street, while a third suspect fled the scene on foot. In response, the police dog squad and air support launched an extensive search of the area in an effort to locate the trio, all of whom are still at large.
The victim, found on St Leonards Avenue, sustained serious injuries and was transported to The Alfred hospital. Fortunately, his injuries are not life-threatening, but he remains in serious condition.
Authorities are urging anyone who may have information or CCTV footage related to the incident to reach out to Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000.
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