Hunt for mugging gang
Police are on the hunt for up to eight youths who targeted the streets around the Royal Melbourne Hospital in a spate of weekend muggings.
The Embona taskforce is investigating up to seven attacks between November 17 and 19, in which a group of up to eight youths robbed people walking at night or in the early morning in Parkville and Carlton.
In each attack, the victims were walking near the hospital or Melbourne University when they were confronted by men described by police as having
"dark complexions". http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/hunt-for-mugging-gang/2007/11/28/1196036955754.htmlClick the link the kid is black!The victims were either bashed or threatened, and each time had mobile phones, music players or wallets stolen.
One victim was a man living at nearby Ronald McDonald House, whose three-year-old child is battling cancer.
Sergeant Michael Lamb from the Embona taskforce said police wanted to speak with a man pictured in an elevator close to the area soon after the first attacks on November 17.
Police believe the men live in the inner-northern suburbs and are aged between 17 and 23.
"People should be able to be in the vicinity of a hospital or a place of learning like Melbourne University and not be subjected to this level of attack," Sergeant Lamb said.
"It is appalling, absolutely appalling."
Sergeant Lamb warned people to be mindful of walking in Parkville and Carlton late at night.
"Consider other options than walking at night. While no weapons were used in these attacks, threats and force were used against these victims.
"If people are confronted by a large group of males they should consider their own personal safety and consider complying with their demands and hand over their belongings," he said.