Detectives from Bendigo Crime Investigation Unit are appealing for information as part of their investigation into a series of incidents on New Year's Eve in Golden Square where two men were seriously assaulted.
It's believed a 28-year-old Portland man and a 28-year-old North Bendigo man were travelling in a ute along Specimen Hill Road about 4.20pm on 31 December when two vehicles started following them.
It's believed one of the cars, a dark coloured Holden station wagon, rammed the ute at a roundabout where Laurel Street, Breen Street, Allingham Street and Bellevue Road all intersection.
Both vehicles have then continued down Laurel Street towards High Street.
The ute then parked outside an associate's property on Laurel Street and the two men went inside.
About 30 minutes later, four vehicles including a white Nissan Patrol, a red Holden ute, a red Mazda 3 and a dual cab ute pulled up outside the address.
Police have been told up to 15 men armed with an array of weapons including bats and knives attempted to enter the property.
The group managed to enter by smashing a window and the four occupants of the house, including the two men who had been in the ute, fled.
It's believed a number of the group chased the occupants of the house up the street.
The two men who lived at the property were uninjured, however the window, front door and fence of their house were damaged.
The North Bendigo man was subsequently located on Allingham Street suffering serious injuries from an assault.
Family members subsequently conveyed him to hospital.
The Portland man got back into his ute and was chased by a number of people travelling in the convoy of four vehicles.
While on High Street, they went through a red light at the intersection of Oak Street and the ute and one of the cars, a red Mazda, were involved in a collision with an unrelated vehicle.
All three cars were damaged, however no one was physically injured during the collision.
The ute and the Mazda took off from the scene with the ute subsequently crashing into a ditch on Panton Street.
The Portland man was chased by a number of people and then seriously assaulted.
The group then returned to their vehicles and left the area.
A number of witnesses called triple zero (000) and the victim was conveyed to hospital with serious injuries.
The red Mazda was later found dumped on McLaughlin Street and the driver has been described as a male aged in his late teens or early 20s, average height, thin build, fair complexion and black or brown hair.
Police have been told he got into a white 4WD after leaving the Mazda, with the male driver of the 4WD described as being in his 20s.
At this stage the motivation for the assault is yet to be determined, however it's believed some of the parties are known to each other.
Detectives are keen to speak to anyone who witnessed the series of incidents or has any CCTV or dash-cam footage.
They would also like to speak to anyone with information about those involved and this information can be provided to police anonymously.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.auExternal Link
