Geelong night stalker’s ‘unusual and strange’ offending revealed as police ramp up hunt

A special investigation team has given an insight into the advanced techniques being used to hunt the the Geelong night stalker, as new frightening details are revealed.

A special investigation team has been deployed in an attempt to unmask the “unusual and strange” offender known as the Geelong night stalker, with police fearing his predatory behaviour could escalate after he gained access to a second home.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Gavin Mullins said a dedicated arm from the Geelong CIU had been assigned to solve the disturbing prowling series that has spread from Geelong’s inner suburbs to Torquay and Werribee, with at least 25 homes hit across six locations.

Detectives remain alarmed at what could be motivating the male offender – believed to be aged in his 30s or 40s – amid a renewed plea for public assistance to help identify him.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Gavin Mullins speaking at the night stalker press conference at Geelong Police Station. Picture: Mike Dugdale

“He has gained entry to two houses that we know of, and has remained in these houses for a short period of time, then he has left the house,” he said.

“Until we know and understand his motivations we are concerned that something could escalate into an assault or something more serious.

“We don’t exactly know the motivation of this male, he is not stealing or damaging any property, he has not had any contact with the people within the houses.

“That is a very real concern for us.”

Images of a man Victoria Police are searching for in relation to a number of alleged attempted aggravated burglaries in Geelong and Melbourne. The offending has become known as the Geelong night stalker series.

The alleged offender first gained access to a home in Bell Post Hill, spending six minutes inside as a family, including children, slept upstairs.

It’s believed a second property was accessed in Werribee on March 7.

It comes as police confirmed a broad brimmed hat found in Rippleside was that of the masked prowler, with forensic testing currently underway.

Detectives believe he is using a vehicle to travel to and from the target locations, however extensive canvassing of CCTV and cameras has failed to identify one.

“We believe he is either parking it a long distance away,” Sgt Mullins said.

“The investigation techniques we are using are more advanced and further developed than we may normally use, that is how serious we are taking this.”

A hat spotted by Rippleside residents after a prowling event. It was handed into police. Picture: Facebook.

Sgt Mullins said investigators were keeping “an open mind” about where the offender could live and urged residents to secure doors and properties.

“Initially we were thinking he was perhaps Geelong based, but there is a very good possibility he is in the broader Melbourne area or in the suburbs,” he said.

“It is certainly unusual and strange, there is no denying that and it is different offending to what we are normally used to.”

The series started in the Geelong suburb of Rippleside in January, with the latest known offending in Werribee on March 7 and 8.

Originally published as Geelong night stalker’s ‘unusual and strange’ offending revealed as police ramp up hunt