Lars Nikolas Spasovski charged with attempted rape of women on train in Ormeau and at real estate agency in Pimpama

A man has been remanded in custody after allegedly attempting to rape two women in random attacks on a train from Brisbane to the Gold Coast and in a real estate agency.

Ormeau train station. Picture: Nigel Hallett.

Two women have allegedly been subject to violent random attacks on a train and at a real estate agency by a man police will allege was intent on committing a serious sexual assault.

At about 12.30pm on Friday the man allegedly grabbed a 23-year-old woman on a train travelling from Brisbane to the Gold Coast by the arm and attempted to pull her off it at Ormeau Station.

He fled from the station after members of the public intervened.

The same man then allegedly entered a real estate agency’s office in Pimpama at about 4.30pm, closing the door behind him.

He allegedly stood close to a 47-year-old employee who was working at the agency’s reception area before grabbing her and pulling her to the ground without warning.

“The male has then jumped on top of her,” Chief Superintendent Craig Hanlon from Gold Coast police said.

“The female screamed and another female employee came to the area and witnessed what was happening.

“She’s opened the door to the premises and grabbed the assistance of two people walking past.

“Thankfully these two people have come in and they have restrained the male and held him until police arrived.”

Chief Superintendent Craig Hanlon. Picture: Glenn Campbell.

Police arrived quickly at the scene at Pimpama and arrested the man.

With the assistance of photos taken by members of the public at Ormeau, officers quickly linked him to the alleged attack on the train just four hours later. The alleged offending was also captured on the train’s CCTV cameras.

Police have since charged 43-year-old Lars Nikolas Spasovski with two counts of assault with intent to commit rape.

He appeared in Southport Magistrates Court on Saturday where he was remanded in custody until November 26.

Chief Supt Hanlon said the “horrendous” alleged offences were of deep concern to police, in particular because of their random nature.

He said that with the assistance of police in Brisbane, officers were investigating the alleged offender’s past behaviour.

Ormeau train station. Picture: Nigel Hallett

The two women targeted in the incidents were said to be doing ok considering the nature of what they had been through.

“It’s a horrendous incident to be victim to and we hope that they will get through this,” Chief Supt Hanlon said. “Whilst there are no physical injuries there is a lot of work to do to make sure they’re ok.”

Chief Supt Hanlon praised the actions of the two passers by who came to the aid of the woman at Pimpama and held the alleged offender until officers arrived.

“(It was) very heroic,” he said. “We’ve identified who they are and we’re looking at how we can formally recognise what they’ve done to save this female victim.

“ ... We want to acknowledge and thank those members of the public who have assisted and helped both of these females.”

Follow @keithjwoods

Originally published as Lars Nikolas Spasovski charged with attempted rape of women on train in Ormeau and at real estate agency in Pimpama