A man is recovering in hospital after being stabbed multiple times by a woman during a burglary in Williamstown.
The victim has been identified as Peter Gantidis, 53, who owns Melbourne River Cruises.
Police say Mr Gantidis disturbed a woman who broke into his house in the Strand just after 1.30am on Thursday.
Detective Sergeant Mark Drane of Hobsons Bay crime investigation unit said Mr Gantidis had been sleeping downstairs when a woman entered through a rear window.
“While she’s inside the house, she gets disturbed by the occupant who was asleep in a downstairs bedroom,” he said.
“That leads to a physical altercation occurring in the hallway, where the occupant of the house receives multiple stab wounds.”
He said the Mr Gantidis’ elderly mother had been home at the time.
“It’s something that would be disturbing for people and for the occupants but we’ve got a team of forensic examiners and a team of people working on it and we’re confident that we’ll be able to identify and arrest the offender,” Detective Sergeant Drane said.
“With the team that’s working on it, we’re confident that we’ll get a result.”
Mr Gantidis’ injuries to the upper body were described as life-threatening.
His condition on Thursday afternoon was stable.
Detective Sergeant Drane said the woman is believed to have fled through the front door.
She was described as being in her 40s, with a solid build, long hair and Caucasian.
A crime scene was established over two blocks in the Strand, with the road closed between Mariner and Stanley streets as forensic experts scoured the street for evidence.
A weapon has not been found.
CCTV footage from the area is being examined.
Anyone who witnessed suspicious activity in the area or with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
