Patrons in Oakleigh were forced to scramble when a group of alleged offenders unleashed a ruthless attack at a restaurant in Eaton Mall about 7.45pm on Friday.
About a dozen people were seated at an outdoor table when they were allegedly approached by a large group wearing balaclavas, some of whom were carrying machetes.
An 18-year-old Malvern East man was stabbed and taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
CCTV footage showed him being kicked, punched and slashed in the face as he lay hapless on the ground.
A 16-year-old boy was also assaulted, but wasn’t physically injured, police said.
The alleged offenders fled on foot.
As part of their investigation, police raided three homes this morning and arrested three boys.
A 14-year-old boy and two 17-year-old boys have been charged with a range of offences including intentionally causing serious injury in circumstances of gross violence, recklessly causing serious injury, assault with a weapon and violent disorder.
The trio will appear before a children’s court today where police will apply for remand.
The boys were also charged with committing an indictable offence while on bail, and affray-related offences over another alleged incident in Oakleigh on April 8.
The investigation remains ongoing, with police expecting to make further arrests.
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