By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
A TAXI driver was the victim of a callous attack at Pakenham train station over the weekend.
At about 12.30am on Saturday morning, a man got into the front passenger seat of the cab and asked to be driven to Flinders Street Station.
The man became agitated after the driver asked him to prepay the fare, producing a knife from his pocket. A brief struggle followed, with the driver receiving a laceration to his finger.
Following the altercation, the man exited the taxi and was arrested by Protective Services Officers at the station.
A 28-year-old Frankston North man was charged with serious assault and will appear at the Dandenong Magistrate’s Court.
Protective Services Officers were again forced to intervene during another incident.
At 6.50pm on Sunday, an 18-year-old man threatened a 51-year-old man with a shovel in Burke Park, Pakenham.
The incident occurred after the young man had approached the victim and asked him for a cigarette. After the victim replied that he did not smoke, the offender retrieved a shovel that he had hidden in a nearby bush and began to make threats.
The victim then left the park and headed to Pakenham train station, where PSOs tracked his position until he was arrested by police.
He was interviewed by detectives from Casey and faces charges of attempted armed robbery and threats to kill.
Police are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident to contact Crime Stoppers, particularly anyone who may have been waiting for a bus that arrived shortly after the altercation took place.
Anyone with information on either of the incidents is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
