POLICE have staged a dramatic main street arrest after a pair of Afghani nationals were assaulted and robbed in the early hours of yesterday morning.
Two men – a 22-year-old from Griffith and his 21-year-old accomplice – will front bail court today after allegedly befriending the victims before attacking them at about 4am yesterday.
Police claim the co-accused struck up a conversation with the Afghani men – aged 28 and 34 – near the Griffith Kebab House and invited them to a party.
The pair lured the victims to Railway Street and allegedly assaulted them, stealing their mobile phones and wallets.
The Afghani men ran from the scene towards the Banna Avenue taxi rank and were chased by the co-accused.
The two men allegedly caught the victims and demanded they walk to a nearby ATM on Banna Avenue to withdraw cash.
When they were nearing the ATM, the victims cried out for help and ran towards some bystanders.
Police patrolling the CBD witnessed the incident and began a pursuit of their own, arresting the alleged offenders in Memorial Park.
A wallet and both mobile phones were recovered from the scene but one of the wallets is yet to be found.
The alleged offenders were charged with robbery in company and demanding money with menace and were refused bail by police.
Inspector Stuart Gair from Griffith Police praised the swift work of officers.
"Police made an arrest within minutes and it was good, vigilant work," Inspector Gair said.
"We are committed to providing a safe environment and people have a right to enjoy their social lives, regardless of the time.
"If people want to break the law, they should expect to be dealt with appropriately."
Just after 11pm, a number of bottles and rocks were thrown at windows on the northern side of the building, smashing six windows.
Anyone with information about the incident should call Griffith Police on 6969 4299.
