(file image) Photo: 123RF
Police believe a string of stabbing attacks across Melbourne that left multiple people in hospital was "completely random", with no connection between the suspect and the victims.
Victoria Police have linked three separate attacks on four people across Melbourne, and are investigating whether another stabbing is related.
A 31-year-old Melton man is in custody and assisting police with their inquiries after the alleged spree across Melbourne's inner suburbs.
The first incident was outside a burger store on King Street in the CBD at about 10pm (local time).
A 24-year-old was taken to hospital with a leg injury after the alleged stabbing.
Detective Senior Sergeant Andrew Eyries, from the Victoria Police Melbourne Crime Investigation Unit, said the victim was lunged at from behind.
It is then alleged the man stabbed a man and a woman who were walking along Dandenong Road in St Kilda East shortly before 11pm.
The 31-year-old St Kilda East woman sustained life-threatening injuries and was rushed to hospital.
By Sunday morning, she was in a serious and stable condition.
Her partner, a 31-year-old Glen Waverley man, was taken to hospital with a serious arm injury.
About an hour and a half later, police allege the Melton man stabbed an English national on Acland Street in St Kilda. The 31-year-old sustained a leg injury.
"On each occasion, the victims were minding their own business, they wouldn't have even known that they were about to be attacked," Eyries said.
"It was completely random."
Suspected attacker in custody
The alleged attacker was then spotted by a Protective Services Officer on a train in South Yarra.
Police deployed members of the Public Order Response Team, who chased the man on foot and arrested him on Powell Street at about 1.15am near Balaclava station.
He was assisting police with their inquiries on Sunday morning.
Victoria Police said detectives were also investigating whether a stabbing in Southbank earlier on Saturday night was linked to the other violence.
In that attack, a 28-year-old Mount Waverley man was stabbed while walking along City Road and was left with leg and torso injuries.
While Eyries said police were still gathering evidence, he said they "strongly suggest that that was the first incident that preceded the other three".
The violence is not believed to be terror-related.
Melbourne Crime Investigation Unit detectives are asking anyone who saw the attacks to contact police if they have not already.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
-This story was first published by the ABC.