Boy allegedly abducted while walking home from school was an 'innocent victim'

The boy was walking home with three other students from Glen Eira Secondary College when they were approached by a grey Volkswagon about 3.35pm yesterday.

9News understands the occupants inside the car were allegedly armed with a box cutter and machetes when they demanded the student’s phones.

The parent of a student who witnessed the incident said her daughter told her the teenage boy was allegedly pushed into the car before it took off.

“He was being pushed into the front seat of the car and she said his legs were out of the car,” the parent told 9News.

“He was running alongside it and she said he like fell out or was pushed out.”

The Year 9 student came out of the moving car near the intersection of Neerim and Grange roads.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Lisa Watson it appeared the boy was an “innocent victim on his way home from school”.

Police are yet to speak with the Year 9 student, who remains in a serious but stable condition at the Royal Children’s Hospital.

“The child is not in a position to speak to us at this time, so there are some facts and circumstances that we won’t be aware of and unable to confirm until we’ve been able to speak with him,” Senior Sergeant Watson said.

Police also confirmed a Volkswagen Tiguan was found burnt out in Dandenong about midnight last night.

It’s not yet established if it was the same car used in the alleged abduction.

Detectives are probing whether the incident is linked to reports four teenagers were robbed by two people armed with machetes in nearby Kambrook Road about 3.25pm – shortly before the boy was allegedly abducted.

Senior Sergeant Watson the investigation was “very active and ongoing”.

“We know of the two incidents in Caulfield and Glen Huntly yesterday, further incidents we have information on. Mobile phones were taken and I believe some other personal belongings.

“I’ve just been told in the last five minutes about some other information that is coming forward.”

Caller Yvonne has told 3AW her 15-year-old daughter was one of those robbed on Kambrook Road.

“She was walking past the school and walking home and a car came out of nowhere,” she told 3AW’s Neil Mitchell.

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“A group of them were in the car with machetes and they started yelling at them to give them their things and mobile phones.

“(My daughter said) every one of them had machetes.

“They drove off, but it seems another member of the school was the next one hit, and something bad had happened.”

Glen Eira College sent an email to parents last night about the incident.

“This is a horrible situation which has no doubt shocked many of our school community,” the email said.

“Our hearts go out to the student, student’s family and friends during this time.”

The college said additional wellbeing support would be available for any students who need it.

Glen Eira College parent Elle has told 9News many parents are worried about their kids walking home after the “really scary” incident.

“It’s not the first attack, and I’m really hoping they do something about it,” she said.

“I heard Glen Eira students were being robbed on the way home, it’s just, it’s unbelievable.

“I spoke with my son and we are all a bit worried about letting him transport home but you can’t stop their life, you have to let them keep going.”

Another parent of a Year 9 student, who wished to remain anonymous, described the alleged abduction as “horrific”.

“As a parent to get that call would be absolutely horrific. There’s no words to describe it,” the parent said.

The exact circumstances surrounding the incident are yet to be determined and investigations remain ongoing.

Anyone who sights the Volkswagen Tiguan involved should call triple zero immediately.