‘Jump in a lake’: Alleged door-to-door sales pest accused of harassing multiple Melbourne
It was caught on camera that a woman who was allegedly a door-to-door salesman subjected a woman to verbal harassment after she rejected the sales product.
Victoria Police confirmed it interviewed a 46-year-old Mernda man following reports of a break-in at a business in Ravenhall, west of Melbourne’s CBD, on May 11.
Business owner Mikaela Borg told 7News she was “scared” and burst into tears after the man allegedly tried to sell her coupons to a local mechanic.
She claimed the man became verbally aggressive when she asked him to leave.
CCTV allegedly captured the frustrated man grabbing the camera and walking away before telling Ms Borg to “close the door and… go jump in the lake”.
“Frankly, I’m scared to be in my own workplace,” he told 7News.
“I didn’t know who he was; he didn’t have any identification on him.”
But it looks like Ms. Borg wasn’t the only person allegedly targeted by the man; Multiple other businesses claimed the man confronted or harassed employees at businesses across Melbourne, 7News reported.
In a CCTV clip, the same man in high visibility can be seen disorderly shouting “oh, I’m scared” at a completely different workplace, before swearing at staff.
In another clip, the man allegedly tried to approach people in a chiropractor’s waiting room, just hours after his alleged confrontation with Ms. Borg.
It is understood many people have expressed concerns about the man on social media.
Leon Callea, owner of GM-F Performance in Ravenhall, told 7News that after the Mernda man approached him and offered him a job increase, he allowed the man to sell discount coupons to his mechanic shop.
But he quickly ended the deal after a complaint.
In a statement, Victoria Police confirmed they had spoken to the man regarding the initial allegation of trespassing at Ms Borg’s workplace on May 11.
“A man is alleged to have entered the Katherine Dr warehouse and aggressively promoted a business service at around 3.40pm,” a spokesman said.
“When the offer was rejected by the building’s sole resident, the man became aggressive and refused to leave despite being told to do so.
“The man eventually left the building.
The spokesman said the Mernda man was questioned and released pending a summons, but did not say whether he had been charged.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report to www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
