Knife bandit

AN opportunistic thief has held a knife to a terrified Monbulk mother’s throat, before taking off with the profits from her Mother’s Day flower stall.
The 62-year-old victim was left “extremely shaken up” by the incident, which occurred in her Silvan-Monbulk Road home yesterday (Monday) morning.
Detective Senior Constable Robyn Waite said the woman had sold flowers from a stall outside her home on Sunday.
She runs the stall seven days a week and has done for several years, police said.
A man knocked at her door inquiring about the flowers between 7.30am and 8am Monday and forced his way inside when the woman opened the door slightly.
He held a knife to her throat and demanded the takings from the stall.
He then ransacked her house and took off with an amount of cash.
Senior Constable Jacinta Murrowood said the thief pulled out drawers and knocked items over but did not damage the home. The woman suffered bruising and swelling on her leg and arm from being kicked during the robbery.
Sen Const Murrowood said the crime was opportunistic.
“Knowing it was Mother’s Day he was aware there was going to be a profit there,” she said.
“And being Monday morning it was likely she hadn’t had time to deposit the cash.”
Det Sen Const Waite said police were looking for a Caucasian man aged between 25 and 30, about 178 centimetres tall, clean shaven with a skinny build.
He was last seen wearing a brown or dark green beanie and cardigan with a white T-shirt.
The woman’s family was comforting her as the Mail went to print.
She completed a photofit with police today which will be released to the public shortly in the hope of identifying the armed bandit.
Anyone with information should contact Lilydale CIU on 9739 2300.