By Parker McKenzie
A 71-year-old Drouin man will remain in custody in relation to historic alleged sexual assault, abduction and stalking in the Dandenong Ranges after facing Melbourne Magistrates court and being charged.
The man will appear in court again in November on 35 charges, including rape, abduction of a child under 16 years, false imprisonment, making threats to kill, an indecent act against a child under 16, stalking and firearms and weapons offences.
Victoria Police arrested the alleged offender on Wednesday 13 July and was interviewed in relation to two incidents which occurred on 24 September in Belgrave and 1 December 1998 in Clematis.
Following the arrest on Wednesday 13 July 2022, Victoria Police Detective Inspector Julliann Goldrick asked witnesses to any similar incidents to come forward, with police keen to also speak with anyone who hitch-hiked in the Dandenong Ranges over the four-year period.
“I’d like to acknowledge that it is possible that there are people out in the community who were sexually assaulted in similar circumstances,” she said.
“For whatever reason, they may not have come forward to police as yet. I ask you to consider coming forward and telling us your story.”
Anyone wishing to report an incident can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report via the Victoria Police website at www.police.vic.gov.au/report.
