UPDATE 4.30pm: Police have released CCTV footage of a man loitering in the area of last night’s sexual assault and aggravated burglary in Epsom.
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Anyone who recognises the man, or has other information, is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
UPDATE 3pm: Police have confirmed they are investigating allegations of an aggravated burglary and sexual assault that occurred in Epsom last night.
Detective sergeant Rod Neylan from the sexual crimes squad said police believed an unknown man had entered the woman’s home while she and a child slept at about 10.15pm.
“It’s believed that male has entered the premises here where he’s disturbed the female asleep in her bed,” he said.
“It’s believed he then sexually assaulted the female before he decamped over the fence and away along the track along the train line here.”
Sergeant Neylan said investigators had obtained closed circuit television footage which identified a man loitering in the area between 9pm and shortly after 10pm.
He described the circumstances surrounding the assault as alarming, but would not be drawn on whether the woman had suffered any injuries.
“She’s asleep in her home, she’s awoken to a male above her and she’s been assaulted in that process so it’s going to be alarming for anybody in that situation,” he said.
“She’s been quite strong in the position she’s in and we’ll offer all the support we can.”
Sergeant Neylan said police intended to soon release the CCTV footage, and urged the man in question to hand himself in to police.
“We just want to urge the public to take note of the footage we’re going to release, if this person’s known to you, have a conscience come forward and talk to police as soon as you can,” he said.
“We’d also urge the person to come forward and talk to us at the nearest opportunity because it’s only a matter of time before we appeal to the public, you become known and we’ll come looking for you.”
The person seen loitering in the area is described as a man between 25 and 30 years of age, possibly wearing a hooded top with a white t-shirt protruding below it, loose fitting pants and sunglasses.
Sergeant Neylan said police were treating the incident as isolated and downplayed any ongoing risk to the community.
UPDATE 12.20pm: Detectives from the Victoria Police sexual crimes squad have arrived from Melbourne and canvassed the scene.
FRIDAY 7.30am: Police remain at the scene in Epsom this morning.
More to come.
THURSDAY: Police are responding to reports of an aggravated burglary in an Epsom home this evening.
It’s believed an unknown offender entered a property about 10pm.
The Victoria Police dog squad has been called to the area.
Anyone with information should phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.