Police continue hunt for 'serial rapist' in south east Queensland
A major police investigation is still underway to find a serial sex offender, responsible for at least four attacks across Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
The predator may have been breaking into homes and assaulting innocent women as they sleep since 2005.
Police have re-issued an appeal to the public for information in relation to sexual assault investigation.
Detectives from the Gold Coast and Logan Criminal Investigation Branches and State Crime Command’s Sexual Crime Group are continuing to appeal for information in relation to the ongoing sexual assault investigation Operation Melya.
An Incident Centre was established to investigate four linked sexual assaults that have taken place in the Gold Coast, Logan and south Brisbane areas with the first occurring in 2008 and the latest in February of this year.
The first incident occurred at a Coombabah home on a Monday in October 2008. An unknown man entered a woman’s bedroom just after midnight and sexually assaulted her. The man fled the residence though a rear door. The woman was in her 50s at the time of the assault.
Then on a Thursday in November 2015 a woman in her 60s disturbed an unknown man in the kitchen of her Springwood home just after midnight. The man restrained the woman and made threats to sexually assault her. For an unknown reason the man released the woman and fled the residence through a screen door.
On a Sunday in January 2016 the third incident occurred at a Sunnybank residence just before 3am. A woman in her 20s was asleep in her room when she was awoken by an unknown man with his hands around her neck. The man sexually assaulted the woman then fled.
The fourth incident occurred in February this year at an address in Southport sometime around 3am. An unknown man entered the bedroom of a woman in her 30s through the window and sexually assaulted her.
Regional Crime Coordinator Detective Superintendent Dave Hutchinson said that police are putting a lot of resources into finding the offender.
“Having four linked sexual assaults is very concerning to police.” Detective Superintendent Hutchinson said.
“Since our last appeal we’ve received over 40 reports from Crime Stoppers. We are actively following up on each and every one of those reports but we are still seeking that crucial piece of information that will help us identify and locate this man.”
“We’re renewing our appeal for public assistance. If anyone has seen any suspicious behaviour- for example, an unknown person loitering or if someone has been subject to wilful exposure or a ‘Peeping Tom’- we would urge them to come forward with this information and contact Crime Stoppers.”
Detective Superintendent Cheryl Scanlon of the Child Safety and Sexual Crime Group said officers were reviewing previous cases of sexual assaults in the south east.
“At this stage we have not found any additional cases that are linked to this investigation,” Detective Superintendent Scanlon said.
“The profile that we have on this man continues to be developed and enhanced by our behavioural scientist and intel analysists.”
Police would like to take the opportunity to remind members of the community to be mindful of their personal safety and home security.
For more information on personal safety, visit: https://www.police.qld.gov.au/programs/cscp/personalSafety/default.htm
Anyone with information which could assist with this matter should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au 24hrs a day.
News break – May 17
