By Kath Gannaway
THE mother of two young children has told 3AW commentator, Neil Mitchell, of what she described as a terrifying experience in Yarra Junction on Sunday 6 November.
The women who identified herself as ‘Fiona’ said she, her husband and two toddlers were driving down the Warburton Highway at around 6.30pm on their way to see a basketball game at the Yarra Centre when something hit their car.
“As we pulled into the car park a group of young kids picked up what seemed to be a vortex (football) and threw it at the car for a second time,” she said.
She explained how, after getting out to retrieve the object, with the intention of taking it to the police the car was surrounded by a group of at least 15 teenagers.
Sergeant Kevin Largue of Yarra Junction police confirmed to the Mail on Monday 7 November that they are investigating a report of the incident.
Describing the incident on radio, Fiona told Mr Mitchell her husband had locked the car doors and managed to reverse and drive across the kerb to get away from the youths.
She said it was terrifying with some of them jumping at the sides of the car, trying to open the car doors.
She said a side mirror was smashed and the car scratched in the process.
Sgt Largue said he could sympathise with how confronting the ordeal was for the woman and her family.
He said police are following a number of lines of inquiry to establish the identity of the young people involved and examining CCTV footage.
He said police were also waiting to speak to other witnesses to get more information.
“We believe some of those involved are local, and some not local to the area,” Sgt Largue said.
He said his advice to anyone who found themselves in a situation where they required police assistance would be to call triple-zero.
He also urged anyone who witnessed the incident, or who has information that could help police identify any of those involved, to ring Yarra Junction police on 5967 1104, Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Fiona told Neil Mitchell she hoped the perpetrators would be charged.
“I don’t understand what the mindset they are in to do something like that,” she said.
