Man arrested over sex attacks on women walking home late at night
A Bulleen man has been arrested over three terrifying sex attacks on women, who were targeted while walking home from pubs late at night, dating back to 2017.
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A man has been arrested over three sexual assaults dating back to 2017.
A “chubby” man targeted each female victim while they were walking alone at night, offering her a lift home before sexually assaulting her.
After each assault he allegedly harassed his victims by texting them: “Are you out and about?”
Detectives from the Sexual Crimes Squad arrested a 56-year-old Bulleen man who is assisting police with their inquiries.
The first incident occurred when a 27-year-old woman left a Swan St hotel in Richmond about 3am on April 9 in 2017.
She was approached by the man who offered her a lift home.
During the trip the man stopped his SUV in a service lane on the Princes Hwy, Princess Hwy in Oakleigh and sexually assaulted the woman.
In the second incident, a 34-year-old woman was out with friends at a hotel in the Melbourne CBD on January 12, in 2018.
When walking home along Gertrude St in Fitzroy, she was approached by an unknown man who offered her a lift about 4.30am.
She told police she was unable to recall what happened next until she woke the following morning at an unknown property after being sexually assaulted by the man.
The third victim had left a Brunswick St hotel in Fitzroy on February 11 in 2018 and was walking home when she was approached by the unknown male.
The 24-year-old woman got into the vehicle about 3am and on the way home the man parked and proceeded to sexually assault her.
In each case the predator — described as aged in his 50s, bald with tan skin and a chubby build — never asked for money in exchange for driving the women home.
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All three victims later received text messages and calls from unknown and blocked numbers following each sexual assault.
The messages included being asked: “Are you out and about?”
Two of the three victims also located their underwear stuffed into their handbags following the assault.
The investigation remains ongoing and police are continuing to look at any possible links to other matters.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at crimestoppersvic.com.au