HELPFUL bystanders helped detain a man after a botched alleged armed robbery and scuffle outside a Seaford bank’s ATM, 5.10pm, Tuesday 9 January.
Prior to the incident a 69-year-old man withdrew money and walked back to his car in the car park, off Hartnett Drive. Behind him in the ATM queue, the alleged thief, 30, of Endeavour Hills, attempted to withdraw money from the machine but discovered there was none left in his account.
He then allegedly took a jack from his car and accosted the older man, demanding he hand over his money.
When the Seaford man refused, the accused allegedly began pummelling the car with the jack, causing extensive damage to the roof and door panels and smashing the driver’s side window. The victim forced his way out and struggled with the man, taking him to the ground, when bystanders intervened and held him until police arrived.
The man appeared at the Melbourne County Court on Wednesday 10 January charged with attempted armed robbery, criminal damage, assault, and committing an indictable offence while on bail. He was further remanded to a date to be fixed.