By Mitchell Clarke
A 13-year-old girl has been left “absolutely traumatised” after she was allegedly surrounded by six teenage girls who threatened to kill her before stealing her phone.
The horrifying attack occurred just before 4pm on Monday 23 November at the Cardinia Road train station.
The young girl had just caught the train home from school and was walking behind her brother, when the gang allegedly swarmed.
“These girls approached her, because my son was in front and when he turned around they had surrounded her,” the victim’s mother, Shelley, explained.
“They actually held her while a couple of other girls pat her down and searched for any valuables.”
It’s then the 15 to 16-year-olds, believed to be of African appearance, allegedly threatened to bash and kill the girl if she didn’t hand over her phone.
“They actually snatched the phone off her, forced her to unlock it and give them her passcode,” Shelley added.
“She didn’t know what to do. She said ‘mum I was so scared I didn’t know what to do’ and I just told her she did the right thing, but this stuff shouldn’t happen. Something needs to change.
“My daughter is absolutely traumatised by it all.”
A Victoria Police spokesman confirmed the same group was believed to have targeted a 13-year-old girl just moments before the vicious attack.
It’s alleged the first victim was sitting on the footpath at the railway station at about 3.40pm, when one of the alleged offenders grabbed her bag from the ground and searched through it, before stealing an Apple iPhone charger, headphones and portable charger bank.
They then approached their second victim in the pedestrian tunnel.
Police said transit detectives were on the hunt for six teenage girls, who have been described as being African in appearance, about 15-16-years-old, with long dark hair.
Shelley said the alleged offenders fled onto the train and headed towards Dandenong.
“It’s just appalling, I can’t believe this is allowed to happen,” she said.
Police are investigating the incidents and appeal for anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
