A man has lost half of his arm after being hacked with a machete during a mobile phone robbery at a Melbourne shopping centre.
Victoria Police said the 33-year-old man was pushed to the ground after being approached by a group of males at Central Square Shopping Centre in Altona Meadows at about 8pm on Saturday.
“It is alleged one of the offenders produced an edged weapon and struck the victim’s forearm, initially causing serious injuries. The offenders then fled the area with the victim’s phone,” police said in a statement.
Witnesses told 7 News there was “blood everywhere” and the man’s hand was only partially attached.
The man is now having the lower part of his arm amputated at the Royal Melbourne Hospital.
Police have not released descriptions of the attackers.
The attack comes after Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan controversially banned machetes following a spate of horrifying alleged attacks, many involving African gangs.
Header image: The shopping centre where the attack took place (Google Street View).
