A 63-year-old grandmother has been praised for fighting off a would-be car thief in Melbourne.
The woman acted to protect her grandchild when a thug accused of a wild crime spree picked the wrong target.
It was 5pm on Friday when a mother quickly ducked into the post office to lodge a passport application in Laverton in Melbourne’s south-west
Inside the Range Rover was a 63-year-old grandmother and a baby in the back seat.
Seconds later, an opportunistic allegedly thief tried to steal the luxury 4WD, but the grandmother punched him in the face.
He fled in a stolen car, with the getaway driver seen dancing to rap music as he drove.
Post office worker Leanne said the gran was a “hero”.
“Good on her,” she said.
“She was quick thinking and did what she had to do to protect her grandchild.”
Police say the gang is believed to be responsible for a series of armed robberies and aggravated burglaries across Point Cook and Laverton between June 19 and 21.
A blue Ford Falcon was stolen from Point Cook last Wednesday while the victims were at home.
Three men dressed in high vis stormed another home and stole jewellery, laptops and bank cards, which were later used at a petrol station.
Three men aged 22, 22 and 21 were later arrested in Broadmeadows.
They’ve all been charged with serious offences including home invasion, assault and making threats to kill.
They were all remanded in custody.