‘Expected to die’: Viet grocery shop worker attacked while attempting to stop robbery in Sunshine
A retail worker is critical condition with “unsurvivable” injuries after being attacked by teenage shoplifters at a store in Melbourne’s west.
Shop owners said the 60-year-old shop worker from Hong Hung Grocery —attempted to stop 5 teenagers who allegedly stole from a clothes shop in Sunshine on Saturday 1/8.
CCTV shows the 60-year-old —chasing the group down Hampshire Road just after 2pm.
It’s alleged the youths had stolen items from the Diamond Valley Fashions store.
Thao Ay who runs a neighbour shop said: “Two small girl stealing the pants and then the owner the lady owner she follow say hey, hey, hey”.
It’s alleged a witness attempted to stop the two girls, who were holding stolen clothing items, before members of the group encircled him and “punched him to the head multiple times”.
The shop worker allegedly attempted to intervene, with the officer saying; “all co-accused collectively turned on (the man) and attacked him”.
It’s alleged the man fell and hit his head hard on the ground, with members of the group repeatedly striking him “for minutes” before fleeing.
Julie Tran from Sunshine Business Association said: “He’s really nice, he’s been one of the longest street traders along the strip so he’s very well known”.
The community is demanding a higher police presence in Sunshine.
“Everyone’s on edge, I mean everyone’s scared everyone’s frightening so come out on the streets, walk the streets alone especially my staff”, Tran said.
60-year-old man in a critical condition with “unsurvivable” injuries
Victoria Police on Sunday 2/8 charged the children, three boys aged 12, 13 and 15 from Brimbank, a 14-year-old girl from Banyule and a 14-year-old girl from Brimbank were all charged with affray, violent disorder, intentionally cause serious injury and intentionally cause injury.
The cases against several of the children were called in a Children’s Court on Sunday evening when the youngest of the bunch sought bail to return home.
The court was told the 60-year-old alleged victim had his injuries deemed unsurvivable after attending hospital, and was expected to die in the coming hours or days.
