Manhunt for ‘high risk’ sex offender on the run from police
A “HIGH risk” registered sex offender — who remains on the run — was missing for more than three weeks before police notified the public.
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A “HIGH risk” registered sex offender was missing for more than three weeks before police notified the public.
John Huggins, 42, went missing on August 30 but Victoria Police only made his disappearance known last Friday.
A manhunt is underway to find Huggins after he gave police a fake home address.
Police have been unable to locate him since discovering the reporting breach.
He is known to frequent St Kilda, Hampton, Brighton, Highett, Fitzroy and Melbourne CBD area.
Anyone who sees Huggins is urged to contact triple-0 immediately.
Huggins was in 2006 convicted of indecent assault against a child under the age of 16.
The victim was known to him.
He spent two years in jail and was placed on the sex registry for eight years.
Superintendent Lauren Callaway described Huggins as a “high risk” offender who has since been charged with offences relating to violence, weapons, drugs and dishonesty.
Supt Callaway said Huggins was officially reported missing on August 30 after police discovered he gave them a fake address in St Kilda.
He kept in contact with police via phone but has since gone quiet.
“We think he has got rid of the phone,” said Supt Callaway.
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Police units stepped up their search for him in the areas last Thursday.
“We have all units regularly checking these areas and speaking to friends and family,” said Supt Callaway.
She is confident police will find Huggins, who she said is likely hiding somewhere between St Kilda and Fitzroy.
NSW police are also assisting in the search as Huggins used to live in Broken Hill.