Mermaid Stalker: Man never caught for 2004 crime spree breaking into women’s houses
A man dubbed the “Mermaid Stalker” followed women home, broke into their houses and assaulted them, with a victim saying she “felt so violated”. READ WHAT SHE SAID
Police & Courts
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The Gold Coast has many unsolved crimes in its history, with the people behind some of our most infamous acts never identified.
From the ‘balaclava rapist’ who terrorised the Gold Coast and Tweed in the 1970s and 1980s to the ‘smirking stalker’ who attacked women in the late 2000s, the city’s cold case files remain thick.
A man dubbed the ‘Mermaid stalker’ became a reviled figure in 2004 when his crimes came to light.
Police revealed their investigation 20 years ago this weekend after a series of disturbing attacks in Broadbeach and Mermaid Beach.
The man, whose name was never discovered, was believed to be in his mid-20s and began his crime spree in April 2004.
Five women were confirmed as being attacked by the man.
His method was to follow women home from bars in Broadbeach or Mermaid before breaking into their bedrooms and either touching or kissing them while they slept.
In at least one case he stole money before escaping.
The break-ins occurred in Peerless Ave, Sunbeach Ave, Williams St and Francis St.
Burleigh CIB Detective Senior Constable Kurt Krebes said the man was likely a frequent patron of bars in the area.
“We have distributed flyers around the Mermaid Beach area and we have some very strong leads which we are following up with vigour,’’ he told the Bulletin at the time.
“We definitely think he’s connected with a bar in the area.
“In one instance, one of the females said she got home at 9pm and the offence did not occur until 3am.
“He’s obviously got a vantage point somewhere … where he can watch the females and be aware of their movements.’’
Det Sen Const. Krebes said there were “serious concerns the man could go from touching and kissing to committing a violent crime such as rape”.
“He’s preying on females who live alone, and while he has not yet hurt anyone we are very worried by his actions,” he said.
“On all occasions, the girls have been asleep and only been alerted to him while he has been in their room.
“When we have attended and investigated, there has been no sign of forced entry, which implies he has gotten in by a door or window which has been left unlocked or open.
“We are urging women to be more security conscious when walking home and ensure they lock up.’’
Leading criminologist Wayne Petherick said the man had likely committed further crimes.
‘‘I believe he’s been previously active and just hasn’t been caught,” he said at the time.
‘‘The fact he’s only taken money from one of his victims suggests he is doing it for the thrill and not as a way to survive. He definitely has the potential to get a lot more dangerous.’’
One victim spoke to the Bulletin about the impact it had on her.
“I feel violated, but of course, it could have been worse,’’ she said. ‘‘They always start with something like this, like stalking, and then escalate from there.
‘‘He was cool, calm and collected about it – he didn’t speak at all and he didn’t seem to be worried that he’d get caught.
‘‘I’m still stunned about it, especially because I wasn’t the only one in the house.
“You just don’t think this sort of thing would happen on the Gold Coast.’’
Several tips were received and one further victim came forward to tell police of her ordeal after the Bulletin revealed the state of the investigation but the man himself was never found.