POLICE have charged a 24-year-old Strathmore man over the assault of a taxi driver in Moonee Ponds on July 29.

The accused faces a string of charges including robbery, theft, intentionally causing injury, unlawful assault and obtaining property by deception.

The driver was assaulted after picking up a passenger from Melbourne's Colonial Hotel, about 1.15am, and being directed to Keilor.

When the driver stopped in Waverley Street, Moonee Ponds, and asked the passenger to stop spitting, he was repeatedly punched, then pushed out of his taxi and kicked. The taxi was stolen and dumped about two kilometres away in Balmoral Street, Essendon.

The man has been bailed to appear in the Broadmeadows Magistrates court on September 7.

Man sought in two attacks

POLICE are hunting a man they believe is responsible for two armed attacks in Union Road, Ascot Vale.

In the latest attack, a man armed with a kitchen knife and with a light-blue beanie pulled over his face attempted to rob a milk bar on July 29.

Police said the bandit stormed in about 12.55pm and demanded the shop attendant hand over money. A customer stepped in and stopped him and the bandit ran across the road.

He is described as Caucasian, 183centimetres tall and wearing beige cargo pants.

On June 8, a chemist next door to the milk bar was robbed in similar circumstances.

Senior Constable Jennifer Boothe said: "At this stage, we have had a few armed robberies in the area and we believe it could be the same offender."

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