A Melbourne cafe worker has suffered a chipped tooth after a stranger violently smashed a tray of food into her face during a shocking unprovoked attack that has since gone viral on social media.
Incident Details
The disturbing incident occurred on Anzac Day just before 1pm at La Vallee Cafe on Keilor Road in Essendon. CCTV footage captures the moment a woman walked past a staff member who was carrying three plates of food outside. After the pair narrowly avoided colliding, the footage shows the woman deliberately smacking the plates out of the waitress's hand, causing them to smash into her face. The attacker then walked away nonchalantly while the stunned staff member stared in shock.
Viral Spread and Community Response
La Vallee Cafe posted the CCTV footage on Instagram, appealing to the community for help identifying the woman. The video has amassed nearly 3 million views in less than 24 hours, sparking widespread outrage and support.
Owner Josh Rabie told Sunrise that the staff member, who is originally from France, sustained a broken tooth as a result of the assault. He described her as “a bit shaken up” but in high spirits given the circumstances. “She’s back at work which is great to see and all the staff have been supportive around her as well,” Rabie said.
The waitress has since received treatment for the chipped tooth, and the incident has been reported to police.
Overwhelming Support from Local Businesses
Following the Instagram post, the cafe was inundated with messages of support from the local community, with multiple businesses offering assistance. A local dentist from Healthy Smiles in Keilor Road Niddrie offered to fix the staff member’s front tooth free of charge, condemning the act as cowardly. Another business offered her a complimentary steak dinner once her teeth were repaired, and a jiu jitsu studio provided a 12-month self-defence membership.
Rabie expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support. “It all goes a long way, it's amazing to see and hopefully we can keep going to find this lady,” he said.
Authorities are urging anyone who recognises the woman in the footage to contact police immediately.
