A BRAESIDE businessman had his current model Holden SS sedan carjacked when he arrived at work, Monday 18 July.
The man, 50, of Ferny Creek, was opening the gates to the Woodlands Dr premises at 7.50am when he “felt a presence behind him” and turned to see a man pointing a black handgun at him.
He then noticed a white VW station wagon with two men inside parked behind his car. All appeared to be Polynesians.
The gunman demanded the keys to his car – valued at $46,000 – and, when the businessman fumbled in his pocket for the keys, the man struck him to the left side of the head with the handgun and demanded he “hurry up”.
The gunman took the Holden’s keys but was having trouble starting it when one of the other men ordered him out, got in, and started it.
While this was happening the victim attempted to take a picture of the carjackers on his mobile. Seeing this, the gunman rushed up and grabbed the phone before running to the VW and both cars drove north on Woodlands Dr towards Lower Dandenong Rd.
Police in a patrol car on the corner of Lower Dandenong and Springvale roads saw both cars travelling at speed through the intersection minutes after the carjacking, but were blocked by peak-hour traffic and did not pursue.
Detective Senior Constable Layton Richardson, of Kingston CIU, described the gunman as early 20s, 173cm, slim build, dark tan complexion, wearing a black hoodie and black pants.
The man who drove off in the Holden was described as late teens, 165cm, slim build, dark tan complexion, wearing a grey hoodie and black pants. There is no description of the third man.
The Holden was later involved in a petrol drive off at a service station on Princes Hwy, Pakenham, just after midnight yesterday (Tuesday 19 July) morning.
The male driver was described as Caucasian, aged 30-40, wearing a black and white baseball cap and black jacket who appeared to be trying to cover his appearance with his collar pushed up high against his face. He was alone.
Anyone with information is asked to call Kingston CIU, 9556 6111 or Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 20 July 2016