Box Hill Embona detectives have released footage as their investigation into a robbery and assault in Donvale continues, Victoria Police say.
Investigators have been told a 74-year-old Donvale man exited a bus at Carbine Street about 4pm on 12 December.
He was followed for a short time before being approached by a man from behind, who lifted him off the ground and started punching him to the face and chest.
The offender then stole an amount of cash from the victim before fleeing in an unknown direction.
The victim alerted a family member and was taken to hospital with non-life threatening facial injuries.
It is believed the man had travelled on the same train as the victim between Surrey Hills and Box Hill prior to following him on to the bus at Blackburn.
Detectives believe the incident may be linked to another similar robbery the day before (11 December) involving the same man.
On this occasion, it is believed the victim, an 82-year-old Vermont South man, was followed on to a train at Box Hill Railway Station heading towards Nunawading.
Similarly, the victim was followed onto a bus, where both he and the offender exited at Springvale Road, Vermont South.
The offender continued to follow the man to his home and into his backyard, where he approached him from behind and threw him to the ground.
Again, the offender took the man’s wallet and removed cash before the kicking the victim to the face and fleeing.
Police have today released an image and CCTV footage of a man who they believe can assist with their enquiries.
He is perceived as Caucasian in appearance, aged in his late teens to early 20s and about 180cm tall with a solid build.
On the first occasion he was wearing a black baseball cap, green and grey checked hoodie, dark shorts and dark shoes.
He also wore a black baseball cap on the second occasion, along with a black spray jacket, black shorts and black shoes.
Anyone with information on either incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
