A MAN “familiar with the streets and lanes of Seaford” is believed responsible for an attack on a woman as she walked home along Railway Pd, 3.10am, Saturday 1 April.
The Sexual Crimes Squad has released CCTV footage of a man they wish to speak to in relation to the sexual assault on the 19-year-old near Seaford North Reserve. See the video at www.vicpolicenews.com.au/system/files/media-centre/Seaford%201.mp4
It is believed the woman had stopped briefly near bushes at a church car park when she was attacked from behind.
The man then ran from the scene and the victim walked home and called police.
He is described as having a tanned complexion with brown hair, thin build and an Australian accent.
Detective Sergeant Rod Neylan said police believed the man had local knowledge of the area. “After the incident [he] has run across the reserve, which has a number of small fences separating it into sections, making it difficult to cross easily or quickly,” he said.
“We also know he ran down a very small alley near the north-west corner of the reserve and this alleyway is so small that we believe he would have had to have known previously it was there.
“Whether he lives in the area or has previously lived in this area we don’t know, but we do suspect that is the case based on what appears to be an intimate knowledge of these back streets.
“I’m urging people who live near that reserve to take a look at these images and think hard about whether this is someone you know, someone who lives in the area now, has lived there before, or even someone who worked in the area.
“There is someone out there who knows who this man is.”
At the time of the incident the man was wearing jeans with a belt and a dark coloured t-shirt. He has a distinctive mole on the left side of his cheek or chin and small teeth.
Earlier this year police released a digital composite image of a man they wish to speak to and they continue to appeal to anyone who can identify that man to come forward.
The CCTV footage shows the man walking along Railway Pd, near Hayman Av, 2.55am, before he came across the woman at the south-west corner of the reserve about 3.10am.
Detective Neylan said police were also yet to recover all of the victim’s belongings. “We’d ask that people double check their backyards, including any outbuildings, such as garages and on the roof of those buildings, in the event any items have been thrown there by the offender,” he said.
“Any items that can be recovered might provide a vital clue.”
An information caravan set up outside the community centre on Station St, 28 April, received a large number of reports from the public.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at crimestoppersvic.com.au
