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Miss Universe Australia Finalist and Her Father Repel Attempted Carjacking in Melbourne

Elizabeth Kalash, a 2024 Miss Universe Australia finalist, and her 60-year-old father fought off three people during an attempted carjacking in Coburg, Melbourne on Dec. 2. The attackers shoved the father to the ground and drove over his foot while fleeing in a stolen Lexus registered SAMWAN. Amir was hospitalized with a serious foot injury and has since been released; both are recovering but shaken. Victoria Police have released descriptions of three people of interest and ask anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.

Miss Universe Australia Finalist and Her Father Repel Attempted Carjacking in Melbourne

Elizabeth Kalash, a 2024 Miss Universe Australia finalist, and her 60-year-old father, Amir, fought off three people during an attempted carjacking outside a home in Coburg, Melbourne on Tuesday, Dec. 2. The suspects assaulted Amir, who was pushed to the ground and had his foot run over as the attackers fled in a stolen Lexus registered SAMWAN.

Elizabeth, 28, said she ran out after hearing the commotion and intervened when she saw her father being attacked. "It was definitely a fight reaction and the adrenaline definitely kicked in for me," she said, describing how the suspects briefly fled and then returned to collect items they had dropped.

"As I saw my father hit the ground … your heart genuinely breaks. I could not visually see what happened to my father and I didn't know what was going to happen to him being on the ground," Elizabeth recalled.

Victoria Police say the incident began at about 12:20 p.m. on May Street, when a resident spotted one suspect inside a grey Hyundai. A 60-year-old man confronted the person and was subsequently assaulted. A stolen silver Lexus then arrived; two other people exited the Lexus and the group assaulted the man before driving away, running over his foot in the process.

Injuries and current condition

Amir was taken to hospital with a serious foot injury but has since been discharged. Elizabeth said both she and her father are recovering physically but remain shaken by the attack and now feel less secure in their home.

Police appeal and suspect descriptions

Victoria Police have released images of three people of interest, believed to be two men and a woman aged about 35–40. The descriptions provided by police are:

  • Male 1: described as Middle Eastern, about 5 ft 9 in, wearing a black hat and hoodie, dark sunglasses and blue work pants.
  • Male 2: described as Aboriginal, about 5 ft 7 in, wearing a black hat, a brown AC/DC T‑shirt and dark pants.
  • Female: described as Aboriginal, about 5 ft tall, wearing a black beanie, white T‑shirt and maroon hoodie.

The suspects were last seen heading east towards Gaffney Street.

Police are asking anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au. The investigation remains ongoing.

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