Highway horror

By Kelly Yates
A HAMPTON Park man was slashed to the face by a man armed with a knife during an assault and robbery in Hampton Park last week.
Aram Negassi is nursing 10 stitches to his face after the attack, which has been described by police as “vicious and unprovoked.”
The 21-year-old was riding his bike south along Hallam South Road on Wednesday 7 July when he noticed a light blue or grey 1990 model Toyota Camry drive past him in the opposite direction. The driver then made a U-turn and headed back towards Mr Negassi as he came to the Blackwood Drive intersection.
Police said the driver of the car tried to block Mr Negassi, who then fell off his bike.
One of the passengers in the car got out and began to chase him, with the car following closely behind.
Mr Negassi was chased to Hallam Road where the car then blocked him on the footpath.
Police said the driver and passenger started punching and kicking Mr Negassi to the face and body, leaving him with large lacerations. Police believe he was assaulted with a knife.
Mr Negassi, who spent a night being treated at Dandenong Hospital, said he wouldn’t walk the streets of Hampton Park late at night anymore.
The incident took place between midnight and 1am. The attackers also stole Mr Negassi’s backpack, which contained his mobile phone, a pair of shoes, a drink bottle and towel. Police have described the pair as being aged in their early 20s, having Australian accents and wearing hooded tops.
Anyone with information urged to call the Frankston Embona Taskforce on 9784 5590.