21-year-old Ben van Mierlo had driven down to Southland Shopping Centre in Cheltenham to pick up his partner, Jay from work on Monday afternoon.
Around 1.25pm, Ben pulled into an empty parking spot at this popular shopping mall in Melbourne, when a man in a hooded jacket, opened his door and yelled at him to ‘get out of the car.’
Ben was robbed of his car in broad daylight at Melbourne’s popular shopping joint.
Ben is a Monash University graduate and a part-time tutor. His partner Jay works at the mall. Ben was on his phone with his mum when this incident occurred.
"I hesitated, so he grabbed my shirt and pulled me out of the car," Mr van Mierlo said.
"Then he jumped in the driver's seat. I am yelling and screaming at him, 'what are you doing? Stop! Help, someone!'
"And I see two guys come out from this car parked behind me that I hadn't noticed at all, and they came out, opened the door of my car, they are all now sitting in my car. And they are yelling, 'go, go'."
Mr van Mierlo said the driver quickly reversed the car and then drove straight off.
Mr van Mierlo told Fairfax that the man was about 180 centimetres tall, was well-built and had an olive complexion. Most of his face was hidden by the jacket's hood, which was pulled tight around his face and he was also wearing sunglasses.
Bystanders helped Ben to get in touch with police and his mother.
Victoria Police spokeswoman Belinda Batty said Kingston crime investigation unit detectives were appealing for public assistance following two car thefts on Monday.
Ms Batty said after the carjacking, it was believed the offenders stole a set of number plates, 1CE 6TU, nearby and continued driving.
Mr van Mierlo expressed his disbelief that the thieves had chosen a daytime and a popular public spot to strike.
"If it happens to you in the middle of Southland shopping centre, at 1.30 in the afternoon, I don't know where anyone is safe."
Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report to www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
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