Police release images of group of teenagers wanted for assaulting man in attempted robbery

Police have released images of a gang of seven Melbourne teenagers they are hunting over a violent attempted armed robbery that occurred in the city’s south earlier this week.

Victoria Police released CCTV images of the seven men, believed to be aged between 16 and 18 years old, after it received reports the group had assaulted a 55-year-old man with wooden or metal poles in an attempted robbery in South Melbourne on March 20.

“Investigators have been told a 55-year-old man was walking home from work along Clarendon Street about 4.20am on 20 March when he was approached by a group of seven males,” a police statement said.

“The males were armed with what appeared to be metal or wooden poles and made demands for the man’s money.

“The victim said he did not have any money before he was struck to the head with the pole. The victim ran but fell on the road and was further assaulted before he screamed out for help and the offenders fled empty handed.”

The man was later taken to hospital and treated for a broken eye socket and cuts to his head that he received in the assault.

In the images, the teenagers can be seen wearing hooded tops, with one wearing a bandana around his neck.

Police are appealing for anyone with information that may assist the investigation to contact Crime stoppers.