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'I’m going to stab you': Woman's terror as thief threatens to kill her

A thief has threatened to stab and kill a Melbourne woman who caught him trying to steal her car.

When the 27-year-old woman decided to drop in on her grandmother at Essendon West last month, she never thought she would herself be paid a visit by a stranger.

The victim found the man inside her parked vehicle when she returned to a carpark.

Her car was parked out the back of her grandmother’s Hoffmans Road unit just before 9.30pm on June 3.

“I saw that my car had been broken into. I put my head next to the window and noticed there was a man in my car,” the victim, identified only as Jessica, said.

“He jumped out of the car and we both started screaming, and I went back.”

A thief has threatened to stab and kill a west Melbourne woman, after she caught him trying to steal her car. Source: 7 News
A thief has threatened to stab and kill a west Melbourne woman, after she caught him trying to steal her car. Source: 7 News

She froze when she realised she caught the thief red-handed. Police said they were shocked the man stood his ground and didn’t flee.

“I didn’t know whether he had a weapon, but as he was shouting at me saying ‘I’m going to stab you, I’m going to kill you,’ I knew that it was serious,” she said.

Senior Constable Gary Van Maanen said the robber had every opportunity to leave but decided not to.

“But he’s remained and made a threat to the victim, which is obviously quite concerning,” he told reporters on Sunday.

Fearing for her life, Jessica retreated and watched the man run off with shopping worth $600 from her back seat.

“It’s one of those things where you freeze up, but you think to yourself ‘Is it really worth it?’ No belongings in that car are going to replace your life,” Jessica said.

Investigators have released this facial composite image of a man they believe may be able to assist with their enquiries. Source: Victoria Police
Investigators have released this facial composite image of a man they believe may be able to assist with their enquiries. Source: Victoria Police

Hours after confronting Jessica, police say the man struck again. He tried to break into another car on the same street, but was stopped by the owner. They now want help to find him.

The offender was described as Caucasian in appearance and about 183cm tall with a skinny build, pale complexion and piercing, light-coloured eyes. He was wearing a red shirt with the sleeves pushed up.

Investigators have released a facial composite image of a man they believe may be able to assist with their enquiries.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the online reporting page.

A thief has threatened to stab and kill a west Melbourne woman after she caught him trying to steal her car. Source: 7 News
A thief has threatened to stab and kill a west Melbourne woman after she caught him trying to steal her car. Source: 7 News