Man accused with brutal bashing of Greek grandmother arrested

A man wanted for the brutal beating of a Greek grandmother outside a Melbourne church has been arrested.

Penelope Katsavos, with husband Thomas (L), and son, Evripides. Source: Evripides Katsavos

78-year-old Penelope Katsavou went as usual, for 30 years, to open the Greek Orthodox Church of Saints Constantine and Helen in South  Yarra, on Saturday 13/3 at around 6.15 in the morning, when she was suddenly attacked. A man allegedly threw her on the stairs and hit her even when she was laying down covered in blood. He grabbed her shopping trolley and fled. A few meters away he left the  trolley  without taking anything.

Victoria Police had released a photo of a man with a mustache who was wanted in connection with the attack.

Screenshot of footage released with witness appeal after woman assaulted in South Yarra Source: Victoria Police

A 36-year-old man from Box Hill is currently assisting police in their investigation and is expected to be charged with assault and theft.

Earlier this week, Evri, the vistims son spoke to SBS greek about the attack on his mother and said that Ms. Penelope Katsavos has suffered bleeding in the brain, broken pelvis and wrist, as well as severe bruises. Now she will not be able to take care of her husband Thomas, who suffers from dementia.

Penelope Katsavos, with husband Thomas (L), and son, Evripides. Source: Evripides Katsavos

Evri Katsavos said that some cleaners called the police after they found her, wounded, on the steps of the church, half an hour after the attack. Ms. Penelope is now recovering from her injuries.