Four in hospital, man charged after strangers stabbed in Moonee Ponds

Four people were taken to hospital after a man allegedly assaulted them at random in Moonee Ponds on Wednesday afternoon.

Police said they were called to Puckle Street in Melbourne’s inner north-west after reports an “agitated man” appeared to have assaulted several people on the street about 1.15pm.

A 36-year-old Broadmeadows man was arrested shortly after near Moonee Ponds train station, and was charged with 29 offences on Wednesday night. The four victims were taken to hospital for treatment for what were believed to be non-life threatening injuries.

Police said the man was armed with a sharp implement when he was arrested. A witness who spoke to Nine News said the man used a pen to stab some victims.

The man will be held in custody overnight before facing the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday charged with offences including intentionally causing injury, recklessly causing injury, common law assault, assault with a weapon, and armed robbery.

“At this stage, the incident appears to have been random in nature and not terror-related,” a police statement said.

Ambulance Victoria said the victims included two women, one aged in her 50s and the other in her 60s, who suffered upper body injuries and were taken to Royal Melbourne Hospital and St Vincent’s Hospital, respectively.

Two men were also injured. One in his 80s suffered minor injuries and was taken to Royal Melbourne Hospital. The other, believed to be aged in his 30s, was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital with upper body pain.