Updated ,first published
It was an attack so brutal it prompted one seasoned police office to say the offenders had no humanity.
Their behaviour, he said, reminded him of dogs – rabid dogs.
Opposite the iconic triangle in the heart of St Kilda, two mates had headed to Macca’s for a late bite to eat.
As their white Kia cruised into the drive-though on The Esplanade just after 10pm on Tuesday, they were rammed from behind.
One of three males inside a stolen grey Mazda jumped out and started pounding on the Kia’s doors. One of the teens inside the rammed Kia – a 17-year-old from Prahran – was slashed with a knife.
Police say the injured teen and his friend fled the carpark towards Acland Street, and then turned down St Leonards Avenue.
But it was a dead end. So they jumped out of the car and tried to escape on foot.
The three pursuers – described by police as 175cm tall, of African descent and wearing dark clothing wearing dark clothing – dumped their own stolen vehicle and took control of the empty Kia.
They proceeded to deliberately run over the injured teen in his own car.
Not once, but twice.
Video taken by witnesses calling Triple Zero shows the Kia, with a crumpled rear bumper, repeatedly reversing back and forward on the street.
One witness told ABC Radio Melbourne the victim was run over twice.
“The car ran over him the first time and then reversed over him to get him a second time,” she said. “The people jumped out and stabbed him in the face, and then that victim ran away.”
Detective Inspector Mark Patrick detailed the attack to reporters on Tuesday night.
“These are serious crimes. The offenders have no humanity,” Patrick said. “[It’s] behaviour like dogs, like rabid dogs.”
Two of the alleged attackers took the Kia for another short drive, dumping it in nearby Fitzroy Street. A third ran away from the scene.
The police dog squad and air wing combed the area on Tuesday night, hunting for the three offenders. They remain on the run.
The teenage victim was found on St Leonards Avenue with serious injuries. He was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Anyone with information or CCTV footage should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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Angus Delaney is a reporter at The Age. Email him at angus.delaney@theage.com.au or contact him securely on Signal at angusdelaney.31Connect via email.
