A GANG of masked men wielding baseball bats used their cars to box in and attack taxi drivers in five separate incidents in the West on Sunday night.
The first incident occurred around midnight on Anderson Rd, near Morris St, in Sunshine when a car pulled up in front of a taxi, causing the driver to come to a stop.
A second vehicle pulled up alongside the taxi, blocking it in, and several men wearing balaclavas and carrying baseball bats got out of the cars.
The men hit panels and smashed windows on the taxi, while one of the men demanded the driver hand over any money he had, including his wallet.
The men fled as soon as the driver complied with their demands.
Shortly afterwards a taxi driver was boxed in by two vehicles on Somerville Rd in Brooklyn where the men smashed the taxi’s windows before stealing the driver’s mobile phone.
At 1am on Fitzgerald Rd, near Cherry Lane, in Laverton North a driver was taken to hospital with a broken arm after his taxi windows were smashed with bats before he was assaulted and dragged from the taxi.
A taxi driver was stopped at a red light at 1.15am at the corner of Duke St and Berkshire Rd in Sunshine when a car collided into the rear of his taxi.
The driver pulled over and was approached by a man wearing a balaclava and carrying a baseball bat.
The taxi driver fled and was pursued by two vehicles, but he managed to escape and drive to Sunshine Police Station to report his attack.
At 1.30am on Bradman St, near McIntyre Rd, in Sunshine North a taxi driver was again boxed in by two vehicles and had his car windows smashed.
The taxi driver managed to drive from the area to Bradman St where he was assisted by residents, but when he returned to his taxi he was attacked again by the offenders.
The men stole personal items, including a mobile phone, before fleeing the scene.
The driver sustained minor head injuries in the attack.
Police are searching for a red Subaru with the registration PB 269 and a ZX Nissan sedan with the registration XOB 029.
Both cars are recorded as stolen vehicles.
Police believe between four and six men are involved and are speaking with victims to establish a description of the offenders.
Police urge anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit their website at www.crimestoppers.com.au.
