Anger at mugger’s low act

Disabled man targeted in theft

COMMUNITY members have rallied around a disabled Norlane man left shaken after being mugged for his headphones.

Family members of 23year-old Justin Fitzpatrick told the Geelong Advertiser the young man was walking along the road when a man ripped his Beats headphones from him around 5pm last Friday.

“(He has) a learning disability as well as a mental disability. He can’t really speak properly, he’s got a mental capacity of maybe a 12-year-old,” Mr Fitzpatrick’s sister Jacinta Meloury said.

“He was walking back from the bus stop — he was either coming back from town or school — he’d got off the bus near Norlane Medical Centre, walked down Yooringa Ave, and this guy has walked up in front of him … and ripped his headphones off his head and said ‘They’re mine now’, and took off.

“There was not a lot more I could get from my brother because he was too scared, he didn’t remember anything. He actually walked to Alkira Ave shops and went to the pet shop where he used to work and they kept him there until I got to the pet shop.”

Ms Meloury said the ordeal had already affected her broth- er’s independence. “He’s had no issues going into town by himself, going to Corio Village by himself. He couldn’t even walk into a small shopping centre by himself the other day — he won’t go anywhere. He’s just very scared.”

Victoria Police are now investigating the theft.

“Investigators have been told the victim, a 23-year-old Norlane man, was walking along Yooringa Ave when he was approached by an unknown man about 5pm,” Leading Senior Constable Natalie Dean said.

“Police have been told the man removed the victim’s headphones from his head and the offender told the victim ‘They’re mine.’ The man then walked off towards Melbourne Rd.

“He is described as tall and aged in his late teens with black hair, dark complexion and at the time was wearing a red jacket.”

Community members rallied around Mr Fitzpatrick at the weekend, after Ms Meloury posted an emotional message about the mugging to Facebook.

Father Jim Fitzpatrick said one person, a man named Darren, was so moved by the crime that he drove to the family’s home to hand deliver a new set of earphones for Justin.

“I want to thank Darren for his donation in replacing the Beats,” Mr Fitzpatrick said. “That he didn’t have to do. And to the Geelong Breaking News (Facebook group) community for their support.

“And to the Alkira pet store that helped Justin to contact us after the incident.”

Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at crimestoppersvic.com.au