DANDENONG SOUTH, VIC. — Greater Dandenong Crime Investigation Unit detectives have arrested three people following an incident in Dandenong South on the weekend.
It is alleged that a Victorian Muslim religious leader and a woman (an imam and his wife) were travelling in their car when they were racially abused by occupants of a small black hatch along South Gippsland Highway about 7.40pm on Saturday, January 10.
The offending vehicle allegedly continued to block the victim’s car, forcing them into a nearby service station.
It is alleged that the occupants of the hatch alighted their vehicle and continued to racially abuse the victims as well as damage their vehicle.
The victim, a 47-year-old Noble Park imam, hopped out of the vehicle and was allegedly assaulted.
Good Samaritans intervened before the offenders allegedly returned to their vehicle and fled.
The trio was arrested in Dandenong South yesterday.
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 North man was remanded in custody to appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court today.
The Cranbourne East man was bailed to appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on May 22.
An 18-year-old Dandenong South woman was released pending summons.
“There is absolutely no place for prejudice-motivated, religious-based or hate-based behaviour in our society, and such activity will not be tolerated,” a police spokesperson said.
