A third targeted homophobic assault is under police investigation after men were lured to vacant lots and set upon by a group in separate attacks.
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Police say the men were coaxed to the empty properties in Canberra using dating apps under similar circumstances.
The first victim known to police reported attending a residence on Ada Norris Avenue in Denman Prospect on July 16 to meet a person he had connected with on a dating app earlier that morning.
Outside the residence, he was approached by four people who allegedly assaulted him before he was able to flee the scene by bike, ACT Police said in a statement on Tuesday.
In almost exactly the same circumstances, another man was set upon about 2.30am on July 20 after meeting someone at a residence on Investigator St in Red Hill using the same dating app.
"Shortly after the man arrived at the residence, a group of 7-8 men appeared and allegedly began assaulting him," police said.
The group shouted homophobic slurs at the victim before damaging his car, police added.
The man later went to hospital for injuries sustained during the attack.
On Friday, the force said it is investigating a third report of a man being assaulted by a group at the same Red Hill address.
The man arrived at the home about 4am on July 20 when he was allegedly set upon by up to eight people wearing face coverings.
He suffered minor injuries in the attack, ACT Police told AAP.
ACT Police Acting Commander Richard Breiner said police believe the assaults are linked, with officers "fairly certain" they are investigating homophobic attacks.
"Both of those properties were vacant, and that's obviously one of the reasons that they were chosen by the offenders," Mr Breiner told reporters on Tuesday.
"These weren't just spur-of-the-moment things, they've cased the place to say that there's no one or nothing in there that might prevent the attacks from happening."
Police are appealing to speak with anyone who lives in Denman Prospect or Red Hill who may have witnessed the incidents, or who may have CCTV footage.
Australian Associated Press
