Authorities in Melbourne’s south-east are actively searching for a teenager riding a dirt bike after a disturbing incident involving a mother and her seven-year-old daughter. On the evening of March 25, while walking in Tirhatuan Park in Dandenong North, the duo was reportedly threatened by a male rider on a black, red, and white dirt bike who performed a “side skid” in front of them around 6:30 pm.
The man allegedly pursued the pair to nearby basketball courts, circling around as they sought refuge. In a shocking escalation, he removed his helmet and pointed a handgun directly at them for approximately ten seconds before fleeing the scene in a south-easterly direction towards Stud Road.
Detective Senior Constable James Jamieson described the incident as completely unprovoked, with no words exchanged between the suspect and the victims. The anxious mother has been left feeling too frightened to return to the park, a sentiment that echoes throughout the local community. Jamieson noted, “Understandably she’s terrified, her daughter’s frightened, and I imagine the rest of the community is also understandably upset by this.”
Law enforcement has released a digital image of the suspect, described as a Caucasian male aged 16 to 18, with tanned skin and slicked-back hair. He was wearing distinctive leather riding gear that matched the colours of his bike during the altercation.
Police are seeking assistance from the public, encouraging witnesses and locals with CCTV or dashcam footage to come forward. Jamieson acknowledged that the area is typically busy with families and sports activities, suggesting that someone might have observed the incident.
Anyone who has photos, videos, or relevant footage from that day is encouraged to provide information to Crime Stoppers or contact the police directly, as authorities hope to shed light on this alarming case. The community’s concern is palpable as they rally together to assist in identifying the perpetrator of this unsettling event.