Three people were arrested in Dandenong South over the weekend following an alleged racially fuelled abuse.
According to authorities, a man and a woman were travelling in their car along South Gippsland Highway on Saturday 10 January evening, when they were met with racial abuse from the three occupants of a small black hatch.
The offending vehicle then allegedly blocked the victims’ car, which forced them into a nearby service station.
It is alleged that the offenders alighted their vehicle and continued to racially abuse the victims and damage their vehicle.
Police say the victim, who was a 47-year-old Noble Park man, hopped out of the vehicle and was assaulted by the offenders.
A 23-year-old Cranbourne North man and a 22-year-old Cranbourne East man have been charged with criminal damage and common law assault.
The Cranbourne East man was later bailed to appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 22 May.
The Cranbourne North man was remanded in custody to appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on Monday 12 January.
An 18-year-old Dandenong South woman was released pending summons.
A media release by Victoria Police states: “There is absolutely no place for prejudice-motivated, religious-based or hate-based behaviour in our society and such activity will not be tolerated”.
