'Pay': Threat left behind at luxury nail salon targeted for the third time in months with overnight ram-raid
A ute reversed into a luxury nail salon in Melbourne's north-west in the early hours of this morning, leaving behind a threatening message and a big damage bill.
Police say a black ute reversed into the front of LaLa Nail Co in Essendon about 3.30am, smashing the front doors and damaging an interior wall.
Officers arrived at the scene to find the ute in the middle of the store, with the message "pay ur tick you fat dog" spray-painted on its side.
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A ute reversed into a luxury nail salon in Melbourne's north-west in the early hours of this morning, leaving behind a threatening message and a big damage bill. Nine
9News understands the message on the ute was intended for Andrew Triantafyllos, the alleged luxury car swindler who went bankrupt in 2018 after refusing to pay dozens of creditors.
His Essendon home has been the target of repeated shootings and a firebombing.
Today though, it was his wife's business caught in the crossfire.
The offender fled the scene immediately, leaving behind quite a bit of damage with owners unsure if they'll reopen again.
Officers arrived at the scene to find the ute in the middle of the store, with the message "pay ur tick you fat dog" spray-painted on its side. Nine
It's the third attack on the business since it opened in April, with the premises rammed in May and the front windows smashed in June.
Online, the owners said the continued damage to their premises and their reputation has left them devastated.
"This is not the first time our business has been impacted by such incidents," LaLa Nails said in an Instagram post.
"The continued damage to our premises, our reputation, and most importantly, the safety of those around us — including residents who live in the building — has left us devastated.
9News understands the message on the ute was intended for Andrew Triantafyllos, the alleged luxury car swindler who went bankrupt in 2018 after refusing to pay dozens of creditors. 9News
"The risk to innocent people is what concerns us the most."
The emotional toll of the repeated incidents was "immense", the owner said.
"We are three months into this ongoing situation, and the impact on our wellbeing and mental health is significant.
"We are now faced with the difficult question of whether we can continue."
In a separate Instagram story, the owner, who identified herself as 'Sam', said she was "broken" by the ram-raid.
"How many times can a person be knocked down," she asked.
The salon's owner says it's the third time the business has been targeted. Nine
"These people are just pure evil. I'm really not sure if I have anything left to give. I almost lost my house trying to get this place open and it's only been three months."
Police are treating the incident as targeted, but investigations remain ongoing.
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