By EMMA SUN
POLICE are looking for a man believed to be responsible for a series of sexual assaults in the Ferntree Gully area.
The Knox Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team has identified four separate sexual assaults that they believe are linked to an abduction and attempted rape in 1984.
Between February and September, a 16-year-old boy was abducted by an unknown man from the Heatherdale train station and taken to an unknown property in Ferntree Gully.
The man supplied the teen with alcohol before threatening him with a knife and sexually assaulting him.
Following a review on unsolved sex crimes in the eastern suburbs, investigators believe the same man is responsible for four other sexual assaults committed against teenage males since 1980.
The victims were approached at either a pool hall or at local shopping centres.
Detective Senior Constable Brett Regan said the similarities included a man offering the teenage victims alcohol and cannabis prior to driving them to properties in the Ferntree Gully area and sexually assaulting them.
He urged members of the public to be on the lookout for suspicious behavior.
“If anyone has any information in relation to the identity of the suspect or any information in relation to the vehicle, contact Crime Stoppers,” he said.
“Members of the public need to have some situational awareness and if they have any concerns or are approached by persons they don’t know, ring triple zero if they have any fear for their safety.”
The suspect in 1984 was described as Caucasian, between 30 and 35 years of age, 175 centimetres, solid build, short brown hair and moustache.
The current suspect matches the description, but between 50 to 55 years of age and short grey hair.
A small blue sedan was also seen.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
