A WOMAN has been held hostage and attacked in her own home and two teenage boys viciously attacked on separate occasions during a night of terrifying gang violence in Melbourne’s western suburbs.
Police are hunting those responsible for the violent spree, believed to have been carried out by a large group of African offenders.
A 17-year-old boy was walking along Argyle Way in Taylors Hills when a car drove past and stopped about 9.30pm last night.
One thug got out of the car and demanded the teenage victim hand over his possessions.
The teenager refused and kept walking, sparking a horrific group attack.
Police said the teen was struck to the back of the legs with what is believed to be a baseball bat.
He tried to run but was chased by the armed offender and a second male that got out of the car and pushed him to the ground and assaulted him.
The victim was dragged along the ground before the males fled in the waiting vehicle.
Hours later, a group of up to 14 African men stormed a home in Hillside and brutalised a female resident.
Police believe four males smashed into a Caledonian Crescent home just before 11.30pm and entered the house.
A 59-year-old female occupant was forced to sit in her front room and was hit across the face while ten more males entered the home and began ransacking the house.
A number of electrical items and car keys were stolen before all the males left.
Less than an hour later, another teenage boy was targeted in a sickening attack
The 16-year-old boy was walking when he was approached by men in the vicinity of Noblebanks Drive in Cairnlea about 12.15am.
Up to four males knocked the teenager to the ground and started to kick and punch him.
The offenders took his mobile phone and demanded his passcode before driving away.
Minutes later, a home in the nearby suburb of Delahey was broken into.
Four people inside the Coleridge Drive heard a loud band about 12.30am.
Three males forced entry via the garage and entered the house.
The occupants armed themselves, which led the offenders to flee in a light coloured sedan after stealing a mobile phone.
About 1.30am, police detected a stolen car on St Albans Road that was believed to have been involved in the prior incidents.
Police attempted to intercept the vehicle on Ballarat Road in Sunshine but it failed to stop and a pursuit was initiated.
It was found a short time later crashed into a fence and power pole on Edna Street.
The occupants were chased on foot before they disappeared and were last seen on Suffolk Road.
Investigators believe all incidents are linked and all offenders are perceived as being of African appearance.
No arrests have been made at this stage and the investigation is ongoing.
