A milk bar worker has told how she jumped on top of an unknown man who shot paint at her in an attempted robbery in Melbourne's north-east.
Kiki Ling had just opened the milk bar on Heidelberg-Kinglake Road in Hurstbridge about 7.20am on November 24, when a man riding an electric scooter entered the store.
Wearing a balaclava and dressed in black, he approached Ling, demanding $25 and a free can of energy drink.
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When she refused, he pulled a large super-soaker out of a laptop bag and sprayed white paint on her and around the store.
"I thought it was chilli water but it was paint. I couldn't see and he took my phone from me," Ling said.
"I thought should I run and he was in front of the door. I just had a fight with him and I jumped on his back and grabbed his eye.
"He was strong so he threw me on the ground and started punching my head."
The 34-year-old worker attempted to restrain the man before he allegedly assaulted her and pulled down the store's shutter door, trapping them both inside.
During the assault, Ling was able to move the man's balaclava, revealing his face briefly to the CCTV camera.
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The man attempted to flee the scene when Ling grabbed his leg.
"I started screaming for help and he just started punching," she said.
"I tried to crawl and he pulled me back and kept punching my head and my face. It was very bad, I felt scared.
"When he tried to leave, I pulled his leg but he ran away."
She suffered facial injuries and bruising but didn't suffer any serious physical injuries.
Police say the man fled the scene, without the drink, on what is believed to be a black Hoverfly G4 electric scooter.
Detective Leading Senior Constable Daniel Vakulcyzk said the attack was unique and unfolded over three minutes.
"It's very unique, (the super soaker) was inside a laptop bag and he started squirting (the paint) everywhere," he said.
"He did pull down the shutter, which blocked his escape."
Investigators have released CCTV along with images of a man they believe can assist with their enquiries.
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He is described as being about 175cm tall, of solid build and aged in his 40s.
The man was wearing a black hoodie with white paint on it, dark grey pants, a black LA Raiders cap, black socks and no shoes.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, has CCTV or dashcam footage, or any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online.
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