Video footage from Gardiners Creek show dogs chasing would-be attacker after alleged assault
Updated ,first published
Police are searching for a man who allegedly sexually assaulted a 67-year-old woman and a 39-year-old woman while they were walking their dogs in Kooyong on Tuesday.
In the images obtained by this imprint, the man who escaped from a pack of eight dogs on the banks of Gardiners Creek is seen trying to catch two women around 11.30 in the morning.
Victoria Police have confirmed they are investigating an alleged sexual assault in the area and are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.
They said detectives were told the dogs chasing the man belonged to the intended victims.
Police said the man, whose identity was not yet known, jumped out of a bush and one of the two women put her arms around him before pushing him.
When the second woman then came towards him, he pushed her.
“The victims’ dogs then chased the male into a nearby tunnel under the Monash Highway,” officers said in a statement.
The footage shows a gray dog, one of the largest members of the pack, catching up with the man after a few dozen meters and appearing to make contact with his left leg.
According to police, a piece of the man’s clothing was torn during the chase.
The man can be heard shouting angrily in response before striding off towards the highway underpass.
Police said the man they were looking for was wearing black sweatpants, white socks, slippers, a gray hoodie and was carrying a large, bright blue backpack; These were the same items worn by the man shown in the video.
They released a facial composite image of the man, who appeared to have an African appearance.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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