07/08/2025
Racism or Theft? Dum Mataka Restaurant Sunshine Melbourne Vandalised and Robbed at 4 AM
In the early hours of Wednesday morning around 4 AM, a shocking incident occurred at the popular Dum Mataka Restaurant, where unidentified thieves broke open the door, vandalised the premises, and stole from the cash register, leaving the owners distressed and the community shaken.
Deepak Kumar Gadde, who has been running the restaurant with his wife and children for over seven years, shared his deep concern and emotional anguish.
“This is not the first time we’ve been targeted,” Deepak said. “Previously, people have entered our restaurant and verbally abused us, but this time, they’ve gone a step further and broken into the property itself. My wife has been mentally disturbed by this.”
In addition to the cash theft, the culprits damaged equipment and property inside the restaurant. The local police have launched a formal investigation, but so far, no arrests have been made.
The incident has raised a critical question in the local community:
Was this just a robbery, or is it a hate crime rooted in racism?
With a rise in such attacks against migrant-owned businesses in Melbourne, this case highlights growing concerns about safety, racial targeting, and the mental toll such incidents take on hard-working families.
👮♂️ Police are urging anyone with CCTV footage or information related to the case to come forward.
📣 Community leaders and local supporters are also calling for better protection and awareness around racially motivated crimes.
