Police have released CCTV footage of a man they would like to speak to in connection with a sexual assault in Melbourne’s south-east.
The incident unfolded while a woman was running along the Dandenong Creek Trail near Outlook Drive, just north of Mercer Court on January 31.
Police said the woman had been running in a southerly direction on the trail when she first saw an unknown man on a bicycle about 3pm.
“After turning around shortly after to start running north, the same man approached her from behind and threw her to the ground,” police said.
“The man lay on top of her and attempted to remove her clothing, however the woman screamed and attempted to fight him off.
“She was successful and the man jumped on his bike and took off south towards Tirhatuan Park.”
Police said the woman called triple zero but officers were not able to locate the man.
He is described as being possibly in his late teens or early 20s, of a thin build and with an olive complexion, potentially perceived to be of Indian or sub-continental appearance.
The man was wearing a grey t-shirt, dark-coloured pants, slides and socks at the time of the incident.
Detectives will hold an information caravan in the area from 1pm to gather information.
“This is a concerning attack on a woman who was simply going for a run through her local park,” Detective Senior Sergeant Glyn Woolley said.
“She has been exceptionally brave and managed to fight him off before contacting police.
“Since that time, detectives have undertaken a significant CCTV canvass of the area and also worked with local police to conduct patrols through the park to try and locate the man over the past few weeks.
“We have no reason at this stage to believe the attack was targeted nor have we found any similar incidents occurring in this area over the past few months.
Mounted police officers will also conduct patrols in the area today.
