A 68-year-old man is fighting for his life after being struck by his own vehicle during a car theft in Melbourne's Heidelberg West, an attack that's left a tight-knit community reeling and highlights the human cost of property crime turning violent.
Emergency services were called to Blackwood Parade at Heidelberg West about 7:30pm Saturday after reports a man had been struck by a vehicle. Victoria Police said the man was trying to stop his car from being stolen by an unknown offender when he was hit. The offender fled the scene in the man's vehicle. No arrests have been made.
A Community Responds
Neighbor Kim Tripitiris was alerted by a woman's screams and rushed outside to discover her neighbor George seriously injured in his driveway. She and her partner performed CPR in a desperate attempt to save his life. "He was lying there for 30 minutes before police were even called," Tripitiris said. "His mouth was full of blood … it was really horrible, and I wish I'll never see anything like that ever again; it's going to haunt me for a while."
The moments were harrowing. "He did pass away for a couple minutes, and my partner started pumping his chest," Tripitiris said. "He came back, thank god. Then the ambulance came, but it just seemed like forever; it really did." The man was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Who George Was
Tripitiris described George as "an old knockabout" who was adored by the local community. "We love George around here, he's very important to us," she said. "He loved his cars … he was just a lovely down-to-earth guy, and no one deserves this." Her words paint a picture of an ordinary person whose life has been upended by a property crime that escalated into violence.
The attack raises questions about community safety and the resources available to prevent such incidents. Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives attended the scene, and police said the investigation was ongoing. Authorities asked anyone with information or dash-camera footage to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Why This Matters:
This incident underscores how property crimes can quickly become matters of life and death, particularly for older Australians who may feel compelled to protect their belongings without adequate public safety infrastructure. The 30-minute delay before emergency services were contacted reveals potential gaps in community response systems that could mean the difference between life and death. George's story isn't just about a stolen car—it's about a beloved community member whose life hangs in the balance because someone prioritized property over human life. The fact that neighbors had to perform CPR while waiting for professional help highlights both the strength of community bonds and the vulnerability of individuals when public safety nets fail to respond quickly enough. As car theft rates fluctuate, policymakers must grapple with how to protect both property and people without forcing ordinary citizens into dangerous confrontations.