NSW: Unprovoked attack leaves father dead

AAP General News (Australia)
12-21-2003
NSW: Unprovoked attack leaves father dead

By Nalita Ferraz

SYDNEY, Dec 21 AAP - A service station attendant obeyed the demands of armed robbers
only to be stabbed repeatedly in the back and left to die.

Shocked police today hit out at the vicious and unprovoked attack on the 43-year-old
Sydney father of one, who died in hospital after being confronted by two bandits last
night.

The Barden Ridge man, named in news reports as Jeffery Jin, was attacked as he worked
alone at the Mobil garage in south suburban Peakhurst shortly before 9pm (AEDT).

He was believed to be working a double shift to cover for a workmate when he was confronted
by thieves wearing dark, hooded clothing.

The first attacker held the man at knifepoint while the second stole money - reportedly
less than $400 - from the cash register and fled.

But before the armed attacker left the service station, he stabbed Mr Jin a number
of times in the back.

"The person working in the service station is totally compliant, totally innocent and
is stabbed totally without any thought whatsoever," Hurstville police Superintendent Bob
May told reporters today.

"... there's nothing whatsoever to provoke the attack.

"This was a savage and vicious attack upon a man who had complied with all demands,"

he said in a statement.

"It appears that after helping themselves to a quantity of cash from the register,
one of the offenders has fled from the service station.

"The second offender has then stabbed the man several times in the back in an unprovoked attack."

Supt May said the attendant was found slumped on the floor behind the counter by a
man who immediately called police.

Officers arrived within five minutes and and tried to revive Mr Jin, but he died in
St George Hospital.

Mr Jin's 15-year-old son Josh said his father was a hard worker who should not have
died this way.

"They're senseless and they're cruel ... they shouldn't have done it," Josh Jin told
Channel Nine.

"My dad made friends everywhere, he was very nice, he doesn't even have any enemies.

"He was very devoted and worked very, very hard ... we all looked up to him."

Service station manager Paul Woo said Mr Jin was a kind man.

"He is a very sweet guy, he's very good, very kind, very soft," he told Channel Nine.

"I don't know why this would happen," said Mr Woo, who added security should be upgraded
at the service station in the wake of the attack.

Supt May said police had established Strike Force Renata to investigate the murder
and were using video footage from the service station and a nearby hotel and bottle shop
to try to identify the attackers.

It was not clear if the thieves left the garage, on the corner of Forest Road and Pearce
Avenue, on foot or by car.

Physical evidence and crime scene police spent most of the night scouring the garage
for clues while other officers today canvassed neighbours hoping someone could help with
inquiries.

Supt May urged anyone with information to contact Hurstville police on 9375 8599 or
Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

"I urge anyone who saw the incident or who might have witnessed suspicious or unusual
behaviour by at least two hooded men in the area to contact police," he said.

AAP nf/sp/br t

KEYWORD: ATTENDANT NIGHTLEAD

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