AN elderly man was left with multiple injuries after a bike ride went wrong when he was glassed, punched and kicked by an unknown attacker in Innaloo on Friday September 29.
About 11am, the 78-year-old man and his wife were cycling south on the Mitchell Freeway bike path (on the western side of the freeway) heading towards Innaloo.
As his wife passed a tree, she noticed a man standing behind it acting suspiciously.
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READ NOWWhen her husband passed the tree, the man stepped out and struck him across the face with a bottle.
When he fell from his bike the man proceeded to punch and kick him.
His wife confronted the man who walked away in a northerly direction.
The man, who wanted to be referred to as Don, said robbery was not the man’s motive.
“I had my phone in my pocket, my credit card on me, but all he wanted to do was take out his anger,” Don said.
“I had some glass embedded in my cheek, a plastic surgeon stitched me up.”
The man suffered lacerations, bruising and swelling to his face and neck and was taken by St John’s Ambulance to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital for treatment.
The offender is described as fair skinned, approximately 183cm tall, solid build, with short light brown hair, unshaven and wearing dark clothing.
Mirrabooka detectives would like to speak to anyone who witnessed that incident or saw a man matching this description in the area.
Mirrabooka Detective Constable Andre Abadi said the unprovoked serious assault was concerning.
“It’s important to us that someone who is capable of an act like this is apprehended as quickly as possible and we urge the public to come forward with any information,” he said.
“It is concerning that an elderly gentleman and his wife would be riding along minding their own business and be struck without provocation, we are taking this seriously.
“We are investigating CCTV footage in the area; we are urging those with dash cam footage who saw someone crossing the freeway cycle path at 11:30 am to come forward.”
Det Const Abadi said police commended Don’s wife for coming to his aid and calling emergency services immediately.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to make a report online at www.crimestopperswa.com.au
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