Police are asking people who hitchhiked in Melbourne's Dandenong Ranges in the late 1990s to share their experiences after they arrested a man as part of their investigation into a series of sexual assaults in the area.
A 71-year-old man from Drouin, in West Gippsland, was arrested this morning and is assisting police with their inquiries in relation to two incidents alleged to have taken place in 1998.
In September that year, a female hitchhiking along the Belgrave-Gembrook Road, at Belgrave, was picked up by a man who offered her a lift.
Police said the man took her to a remote area, threatened her with a firearm and sexually assaulted her, before dropping her at Emerald.
In December that year, a different female was hitchhiking along Wellington Road at Clematis when she was also threatened and sexually assaulted, according to police.
She was later dropped at Belgrave Railway Station.
Detectives are examining any links between those two incidents and a number of other reports of stalking, abduction and sexual assault in the Dandenong Ranges area between 1996 and 2000.
Police say information from any hitchhikers may help investigation
Detective Inspector Juliann Goldrick from Victoria's Sexual Crimes Squad said police were keen to speak to anyone who hitchhiked in the area during that time period.
"Even those who did so without incident may still have valuable information that will provide police with pieces of the puzzle," she said.
Alleged victims already identified by police are female and range from the age of 15 up to 22.
Inspector Goldrick said despite the length of time that had passed, police would still try to find answers for anyone reporting an incident.
"I ask you to consider coming forward and telling us your story."
Investigators believe different vehicles were used by the male in the incidents, including a maroon Toyota 4Runner 4WD.
Anyone with information is advised to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report via its website.
