Sex attacker ripped off teenager's jeans in church car park
A brazen attacker who ripped off a teenager's jeans and shoes before sexually assaulting her in a Melbourne church car park is still on the loose.
The predator, who lay in wait for a "substantial amount of time", pulled the 19-year-old victim to the ground and sexually assaulted her in the car park of the Seaford church, near Seaford North Reserve, in the early hours of April 1.
Victoria Police on Tuesday launched a fresh appeal for information and released CCTV footage of a man walking in an area before the attack.
Police released CCTV footage they hope can help their case. Photo: 7 News
The teen was assaulted in the church car park. Photo: 7 News
According to a police photofit, he has a mole on his left cheek, small teeth, a thin build and brown hair.
He also spoke with an Australian accent but police won't divulge what was said to the victim before the assault.
Police believe the alleged attacker could look like this. Photo: 7 News
Police believe the man has an "intimate knowledge of the area" as he fled down an alley that can't be seen from the crime scene.
"It's a violent crime and we urge people to come forward and appeal to their conscience," Det. Sgt. Rod Neylan from Victoria Police told the media.
"Someone out there knows who this is.
"We believe this person may have lived at some stage either living now, or in the past, or worked in the area because he seems to have an expert knowledge of the area."
Det. Sgt. Rod Neylan believes the alleged attacker could be a local to the area. Photo: 7 News
Neighbouring resident, Robyn Hickey, told 7 News she found the young girl's runners and jeans on the roof of her house.
"I got up on the ladder and found some clothing on the roof and had a bit of a lightening moment when I remembered I saw a police conference on Facebook so I called them and they came," she said.
Police are concerned that the man was still out in the community after committing such a violent, sexual crime.
They're still trying to recover some of the victim's belongings and urged people living near the park to check their properties - including roofs - for any items that may have been thrown by the attacker.
A missing pair of black jeans and a running shoe are likely to hold vital clues about the attacker.
