Man charged after four stabbing attacks in Melbourne overnight that seriously injured victims

Victoria police say random attacks were not terror-related with 31-year-old man facing 15 charges

A man is facing more than a dozen charges after he allegedly stabbed four strangers in Melbourne overnight in what police say were “completely random” and unprovoked attacks.

Officers on Sunday arrested the 31-year-old Melton man who allegedly used public transport to travel across the city when committing three separate attacks on Saturday night.

He was charged with 14 assault offences and one count of possessing a controlled weapon and was due to appear in Melbourne magistrates court on Monday.

Det Sen Sgt Andrew Eyries told reporters a fourth stabbing was also likely linked to the man.

“On each occasion, the victims were minding their own business, they wouldn’t have even known that they were about to be attacked,” Eyries said. “It was completely random.”

In the first incident, a Melbourne man, 24, was allegedly attacked outside a burger shop on King Street in the CBD at about 10pm on Saturday. He was taken to hospital with a leg injury.

An hour later, a man and a woman, both 31, were allegedly stabbed while walking along Dandenong Road in St Kilda East.

The St Kilda East woman suffered life-threatening injuries and the Glen Waverley man suffered a serious arm wound. Her condition was initially critical but has improved to “serious but stable”, Eyries said.

At about 12.30am on Sunday, a 31-year-old English national was attacked on Acland Street in St Kilda and taken to hospital with non-life threatening leg injuries.

Eyries said there was “significant” evidence linking the three incidents – while police were still investigating whether an earlier stabbing in Southbank was also connected.

In that incident, a 28-year-old man was stabbed on City Road about 9pm and received leg and torso injuries.

“At this particular point in time although we don’t have any viable nexus evidence, we do strongly suggest that was the first incident that preceded the other three,” Eyries said on Sunday.

Detectives believed the accused man – who was wearing a “very distinctive” green jumper at the time of the attacks – used public transport to get around Melbourne.

Police were able to connect the incidents after viewing CCTV footage, Eyries alleged.

An image of the man was circulated among police and he was eventually spotted by protective service officers on a train between Balaclava and South Yarra, Eyries said.

“The PSOs and other units then assisted in arresting the male who at that time tried to flee.”

A backpack was recovered by police during the arrest that allegedly contained “multiple edged weapons”, Eyries said.

Victoria police have said the stabbings were not terrorism-related and there was no further danger to the public.

Eyries expressed concern about an increase in knife crime in recent months. “Certainly we’re doing whatever we can to reduce that,” he said.

Anyone who saw the alleged attacks overnight has been asked to contact investigators – particularly a woman who may have seen the Southbank stabbing but left before speaking to police.

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