Police have arrested a man over the alleged abduction and sexual assault of two young female hitchhikers in the Dandenong Ranges more than two decades ago following an investigation into a series of similar attacks in the area.
Officers claim the 71-year-old was driving along Belgrave-Gembrook Road in Belgrave on September 24, 1998, when he approached a young hitchhiker and offered her a lift.
He allegedly drove the woman to a remote area and threatened her with a firearm before sexually assaulting her and dropping her off in Emerald.
Police also allege he picked up another female hitchhiker along Wellington Road in Clematis on December 1, 1998, threatened her with a firearm, and sexually assaulted her in a remote area before driving her to Belgrave railway station.
Detectives are investigating any links between the attacks and a number of other incidents in the Dandenong Ranges between 1996 and 2000 where a man allegedly approached young women in isolated areas, offered them a ride, and threatened them with a weapon before sexually assaulting them.
The incidents occurred around the Belgrave railway station, Wellington Road in Clematis, Belgrave-Gembrook Road in Belgrave, Selby and Menzies Creek. The victims were all aged between 15 and 22.
Traffic near the town of Gembrook in the Dandenong Ranges.Credit:Luis Ascui
Investigators believe the man used different vehicles in the attacks, including a maroon Toyota 4Runner four-wheel-drive.
Sexual Crime Squad Detective Inspector Juliann Goldrick said the arrest was the result of a lengthy investigation of the incidents over more than two decades.
“Today’s result is a testament to the persistence and dedication of Sexual Crime Squad detectives, both past and present,” she said.
“No matter the length of time, we will continue to investigate these significant offences
and try to find answers for victims of sexual assault.”
Police believe there could be other victims who haven’t reported the attack to police.
They would like to speak to anyone who hitchhiked in the Dandenong Rages between 1996 and 2000, including those who did so without incident.
This includes women who may have been approached by a man in a vehicle in the Dandenong Ranges area and offered a ride or enticed to get into a vehicle, or anyone who accepted a ride and was threatened with a weapon or sexually assaulted.
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