A Melbourne pharmacy owner has been left with facial injuries after being brutally assaulted in his own store.
Russell Freyman, 65, was approached by a man wearing hi-vis inside his pharmacy on Fitzroy Street in St Kilda about 12.47pm yesterday.
Shocking CCTV footage shows Freyman speaking with the man, shortly before he was punched in the face in an unprovoked attack.
Melbourne pharmacy owner Russell Freyman was brutally assaulted in his own store. (Supplied)
He was left bruised, with cuts on his face and broken glasses.
His unknown attacker left the scene shortly after.
Freyman’s wife, Charlotte, told 3AW they waited five hours for authorities to arrive after the assault.
She said the couple thought they had “seen everything” in the over 35 years they have been in business.
Freyman was left bruised and with cuts on his face. (Supplied)
”The last 12 to 18 months have just been diabolical and there are zero police,” Charlotte told 3AW.
‘To wait more than five hours after reporting on Triple-Zero an actual assault of a community pharmacist… and to have followed up with two phone calls directly to St Kilda police to say, ‘What’s going on? How long are we meant to wait?’.”
An investigation into the assault is under way.
A spokesperson for Victoria Police said police units were “tied up with multiple incidents” including arresting a drug dealer at the time of Freyman’s assault.
“Officers contacted the victim via phone to explain the situation and initiate reports before being able to attend,” the spokesperson said.
“Police continue to investigate the incident and are attending the pharmacy today to offer support to the victim.”
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