Miss Universe Australia Finalist and Her Father Respond to Carjacking Attempt: ‘We’re Still a Bit in Shock’
Elizabeth Kalash pictured alongside a photo of one of the suspects.
Credit: 9 News Australia; Victoria Police
A Miss Universe Australia Finalist and Her Father Thwart Carjacking in Melbourne
Melbourne witnessed a dramatic attempted carjacking on Tuesday, December 2, when Elizabeth Kalash, a finalist in the 2024 Miss Universe Australia pageant, and her father Amir successfully fought off three attackers. The incident occurred in Coburg and highlighted the dangers of urban crime.
Kalash, 28, intervened when her father, 60, was assaulted during the attempted theft of her car. “I saw my father get pushed, shoved, assaulted, thrown to the ground,” she recounted, emphasizing her instinct to protect him. Footage of the incident shared by 9News Australia captures the confrontation, which escalated as the attackers initially fled only to return later for belongings they’d dropped.
According to a press release from Victoria Police, the confrontation began around 12:20 p.m. when a male suspect was seen sitting in a grey Hyundai at a residential address. A 60-year-old man confronted this suspect, which led to the victim being attacked. The situation intensified as a stolen silver Lexus, identified by the registration ‘SAMWAN,’ arrived, from which another man and woman exited to assist in the assault.
“The victim’s daughter heard the commotion and came to assist,” police reported, adding that the suspects drove over the victim’s foot as they fled the scene.
Kalash shared her perspective on the incident, stating, “It was definitely a fight reaction and the adrenaline definitely kicked in for me.” She sensed that the attackers were unprepared for her rapid response. “I don’t think they expected anyone to come out and react in that sense, so it definitely was a shock for them as much as it was for me and my father,” she said.
Describing the moment her father fell, she expressed the emotional toll it took on her, stating, “As I saw my father hit the ground … your heart genuinely breaks." Amir sustained a serious foot injury and was hospitalized but has since been released. “We’re both doing ok … Dad is recovering … we’re just still a little bit in shock after the whole incident,” she noted.
Victoria Police released images of the suspects in the Dec. 2 carjacking attempt in Melbourne.
Victoria Police
Victoria Police have since released images of the suspects, described as two males and a female, aged between 35 and 40. One male, characterized as Middle Eastern, is around 5 feet, 9 inches tall, wearing a black hat and hoodie, while the second male is described as Aboriginal and approximately 5 feet, 7 inches tall. The female suspect is also Aboriginal, around 5 feet tall, with distinctive clothing noted by authorities. The suspects were last seen heading east towards Gaffney Street.
Following the attack, Elizabeth expressed her concerns for her safety. As a noted figure, she stated, “You do feel like you need to be a bit more cautious … when it comes to even being in your home, which is your safe place.”
Authorities are actively pursuing the investigation and urge anyone with pertinent information to come forward to Crime Stoppers.
