By Eleanor Wilson
Police have described the haunting moment an elderly couple were attacked with a sharp-edged weapon in Narre Warren North on Sunday 2 October.
Casey Crime Investigations Unit Detective Senior Sergeant Glen Cruse revealed the attacker stalked the couple for several minutes as they walked along a track at Troups Creek Retarding Basin about 6:50am, before attacking them with what appears to be a sword.
It is believed the couple were aware of the offender in their vicinity earlier on in their walk, initially believing the sword and sheath he was carrying on his back was a fishing rod and he was there to fish.
At one point, the female victim acknowledged the male offender by saying good morning and he wished her a good morning in return in what is described as an Australian accent, police said.
Just seconds later, the attacker reportedly began screaming and launched at the pair with the sword held above his head.
Snr Sgt Cruse said the male offender lunged at the female victim with the sword pointed toward her chest area.
“The male victim has shown a lot of bravery and has stepped in and tried to prevent the attack as a result he sort of grabbed onto the blade, “ he said.
It is believed the offender continued “waving the sword around” for 15 to 20 seconds, before stepping back and staring at the couple for 10 seconds.
He then calmly put his sword back into the sheath and walked in the opposite direction, Snr Sgt Cruse said.
There is no indication of why he stopped the attack.
The victims then walked approximately 20 metres, bleeding heavily, before calling emergency services.
Spine-chilling footage released by police captures the offender on CCTV just 10 minutes after the attack, appearing to smile and laugh to himself, carrying the sheath on his back.
Both victims were transported to hospital with serious hand injuries following the stabbing.
The male victim sustained severe lacerations to his hands, resulting in severed tendons, severed ligaments and broken bones.
He underwent surgery and has lost complete feeling and movement in his hands, police said.
The female victim also suffered defensive injuries to her hands which also required surgery and resulted in the loss of feeling and dexterity.
At this time it is unknown whether the victims will regain feeling and movement in their hands.
Snr Sgt Cruse said the pair displayed “a lot of bravery” in fighting the offender off, describing the attack as unprovoked, random and horrific.
“They felt that they were fighting for their lives…they felt like they were going to die during the attack,” he said.
“It was quite frenzied and violent and we’re lucky the victims didn’t sustain more serious injuries or that it didn’t result in death.
“It will take some time, if ever, for them to restore to feeling safe in the community again.”
He said both victims have reported significant psychological trauma following the attack, including trouble sleeping and flashbacks.
The alleged offender remains on the run, despite a confirmed sighting of him in the same area yesterday morning.
A male fitting the description and carrying what appeared to be a sword and sheath on his back was sighted in the area about 9am on Thursday morning by both a member of public and local police officers in an unmarked police car, Snr Sgt Cruse revealed.
Police then conducted a large search of the area over approximately two-and-a-half hours consisting of local units, the Police Air Wing, K-9 units and Critical Incident Response teams, but were unable to locate the male.
Snr Sgt Cruse assured residents the investigation is of the “highest priority” for police at this time.
“We’ve deployed significant extra police resources to the area and that will remain until we’re satisfied that it’s no longer a risk and the offender is apprehended,” he said.
Police resources in the area will consist of local units, supported by the Victoria Police Air Wing and Critical Incident Response teams, which he said should make residents more comfortable.
But he also advised the public to be mindful of situational awareness and personal security and to report any suspicious behaviour in the area.
At this stage, the offender has not been formally identified by police, but they believe he may have local ties.
“He does appear to have some level of familiarity and given he has been observed in the area twice within a week, that would tend to indicate to us that it is a local or [he] has local ties,” Snr Sgt Cruse said.
He is described to be Asian in appearance, with a slim build, approximately 170cm in height with a moustache and goatee style beard.
He is carrying what appears to be a black sheath or scabbard on his back.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, has CCTV footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at crimestoppersvic.com.au
