Albion Park shopkeeper Peter Kranitis admits no mental scars from the night a masked man armed with a baton surprised him at his business’ back door and, without a word, almost killed him.
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He was back at work two days later. The deep wounds to his head have since closed over, and he says he simply doesn’t think about that night any more.
But he does worry that someone else could suffer his same fate.
A month since the attack, Mr Kranitis is calling on those who could identify his attacker to come forward.
“Somebody knows,” he said.
“Give him in. He’s still out there … he could kill someone one day.
“I’m very disappointed that someone hasn’t already dobbed him in.
“Put him in jail. It’s where he needs to be.”
Mr Kranitis was departing his Tongarra Road cafe, Delicious Delights, about 7.45pm on August 6 when he was confronted by a man at the back door.
It was dark outside and his wife, Mary, had already left with the day’s takings.
The man said nothing before he delivered a series of damaging blows to 63-year-old Mr Kranitis’ head.
“He was completely covered over. Just a balaclava and two little beady eyes, that’s all you could see,” Mr Kranitis told the Mercury.
“I turned and from the corner of my eye – bang – he was onto me. Like a flash.
“He just kept hitting me, hitting me, hitting me.
“After he hit me 15-20 times he decides to ask me: ‘give me your money or I’ll kill you’.”
At one point the man grabbed at his throat, as if to strangle him.
“He was very strong,” he said. “Some people tell me that when they’re on ice, they’re super powerful.”
Mr Kranitis credits a passing motorist with ending the attack.
As the car came through the neighbouring KFC drive-thru its lights fell directly on the bloodied father-of-three and his attacker, who fled.
The Mercury understands CCTV captured from the area shows the man stopping to retrieve his dropped baton before making off southward.
Mr Kranitis was able to call his wife, who came to his aid. But she was so deeply distressed by his swollen and bloody face she couldn’t attend the hospital.
In the days that followed, friends and strangers made great effort to support the Kranitis family and their business.
“I had lots of help from friends that came in an worked in the kitchen and everything for me,” he said. “I’m very grateful for it.”
The matter remains under police investigation.
Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.