Police investigating an attempted abduction before Coburg sex attack
A quick-thinking woman made a lucky escape after a man forced his way into the back of a car and tried to abduct her. The terrifying ordeal unfolded just 90 minutes before an alleged horror sex attack on a jogger in Merri Creek.
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Police are investigating an attempted Coburg abduction just 90 minutes before an alleged horror rape along the nearby Merri Creek trail.
During the terrifying incident a man forced his way into the back of a woman’s car shortly after 5pm last Tuesday before making sexual demands.
The woman - who is a trained mental health worker - was able to calm the man long enough to convince him to step out of the car before making her escape.
But it is understood she was left so traumatised by the chilling attack she was unable to immediately report it to police.
Just 90 minutes later and less than 1km away another woman running along Merri Creek was allegedly grabbed from behind and assaulted in an attack that has shocked all of Melbourne.
Joel Russo, 25, of Coburg, faces 10 charges of rape, one of attempted rape and three of sexual assault over the alleged Merri Creek assault.
Victoria Police on Monday confirmed detectives from the sexual crime squad were investigating a man approaching a woman in a vehicle in Coburg on December 3.
Police said that incident happened in the Merri Creek area, near the intersection of Gilmour and Wilson streets.
Detectives are looking for others who had been approached in the area recently.
“Investigators are looking to establish if there are links to any other incidents in the area in the past few weeks,” a spokeswoman said.
It was only when the shaken victim of the Coburg attempted abduction returned to work and the support of colleagues on Wednesday morning that the attack was reported to police.
The woman’s employer, Melbourne Health told the Herald Sun it was supporting a staff member following a “very concerning incident” near a NorthWestern Mental Health office in Coburg.
“In light of this incident Melbourne Health has asked staff to remain vigilant. Where
possible, they have encouraged staff when leaving work to catch public transport or
walk to their car and ideally travel in pairs or in a group,” a Melbourne Health statement said.
“All health workers have an absolute right to a safe workplace, violence and
aggression during or after work will always remain unacceptable.”
Following two incidents in which doctors were bashed and robbed leaving Sunshine Hospital last month, Melbourne Health on Wednesday also sent a safety warning all employees.
“Please also consider removing your staff ID or cover your uniform to avoid the potential of being targeted,” the staff safety alert states.
Mr Russo was arrested by police in Carlton about 1.30am on Wednesday and charged with rape and attempted armed robbery in relation to the alleged Merri Creek sexual rape.
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He refused to appear in court on Thursday, when horrific details of the alleged suburban sexual assault emerged.
It is alleged Mr Russo repeatedly raped the woman after stopping her while she jogged along the popular Merri Creek trail some time after 6.30pm on Tuesday.
It is also alleged he tried to drown and strangle the woman before making her hold hands with him while they walked to McDonald’s in Brunswick East, where she raised the alarm about 11pm.
Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit the website www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.