A BUSINESS owner has been dragged by a moving vehicle after two motel residents fled in a bid to avoid payment.
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A man and woman in their 30s had been staying at the Border Gateway Motel for a few days when they tried to sneak away on Thursday.
They had already paid some money, but still had cash owing on their account.
The duo had been packing up to leave the Moorefield Park Drive motel about 1.45pm and were spotted by the owner.
The man tried to stop them leaving, jumping into their Ford sedan.
He was dragged along inside the vehicle with his legs hanging out of a window.
Onlookers had serious concerns that the man would fall and be crushed underneath the wheels of the moving vehicle.
The car was driven a short distance before one of the offenders stopped and punched the motel owner to get him off the vehicle before driving away.
Wodonga Sergeant Tim Mooney said police believed the couple were from the local area.
“We are quite confident we will be able to identify them and charge them for assault and obtaining property by deception,” he said.
“For the sake of a small amount of money owed for the motel accommodation, they've put the life of the manager at risk by driving off with him attached to the vehicle.
“It’s now far more serious than it could have been.”
The motel is covered by security cameras.
Forensic police attended the scene and took measurements of tyre marks left by the fleeing vehicle.
Paramedics also attended but the victim did not require hospital treatment.
Police were searching for the offenders on Thursday afternoon.
Sergeant Mooney said police would be keen to speak to any witnesses.
“His injuries haven't required hospital treatment but this could have been a lot worse if he had have fallen from the vehicle while it was moving,” he said.
"The manager is shaken and upset.”
Anyone with information should call police on (02) 6049 2600 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
