Cabbie’s night of terror

Driver flees after gang smashes car’s window

POLICE are hunting a group of armed thugs who attacked a taxi during a failed early morning robbery in Geelong’s east.

Police are investigating a string of crimes, including the assault of a Norlane mother.

Detectives said a taxi driver was waiting for a customer on Boundary Rd, Whittington, when he was set upon and chased though nearby streets about 4am yesterday.

Detective Sergeant Bruce Dunlop said the driver had not been injured but was badly shaken by the incident.

“He heard banging at the rear of the car, looked in the rear vision mirror and saw two people, presumed to be males, armed with jemmy bars or similar,” Sgt Dunlop said.

“He’s gone to drive off and one of them has then smashed one of the windows on the car.

“He’s then been pursued by the offenders in a dark col- oured car, possibly similar to a Toyota RAV4, and during the course of this demands have been made for money.

“He’s driven to Carr St and kept driving, when they’ve pulled off and driven away.”

A Norlane mother is recovering in hospital after a vicious attack in her front yard.

Senior Constable Simon Keogh said a barking dog woke the woman and she went to investigate outside her Thompson Rd home, about 1.20am on Tuesday.

“She’s looked out the front to find a man and woman at her Holden Commodore parked in the driveway, with the female attempting to open the driver’s door,” he said.

“The victim has approached them out the front when the male has fled and the female (hit her in) the stomach, seeing her fall backwards on to the . . . ground,” he said.

“She’s suffered a hit to the head and then been possibly stomped on before the female fled on foot towards Sparks Rd.

“There was a child in the house who may have witnessed part of it.”

The victim, 36, was taken to Geelong hospital and admitted with upper body injuries.

The female offender is described as being skinny and wearing a white hooded jumper and dark pants. The male was of heavier build, wearing dark pants and a dark top.

Fyansford Common, at the rear of the Fyansford Hotel, was damaged by hoons who smashed through wooden fencing before tearing up grass and setting a stolen car on fire about 12.30am yesterday.

Sergeant Josh Terpstra said a Nissan Patrol had been stolen between May 18-19 and police were investigating.

Anyone with information on the fire, assault or taxi damage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.