A man arrested in central Melbourne for a double murder almost 50 years ago has been identified.
Perry Kouroumblis was just 17 years old when Suzanne Armstrong, 27, and Susan Bartlett, 28, were found dead in their Easey St home in Collingwood on January 13, 1977.
Kouroumblis, now 65, was arrested on Thursday at Leonardo Da Vinci airport in the Italian capital Rome in connection with the killings that shocked Australia.
On Sunday it was announced that Kouroumblis had been arrested by police and that police had found a knife in the trunk of his car, just two weeks after the murders.
Kouroumblis lived at the time in Bendigo St, Collingwood, close to the house where Ms Armstrong and Ms Bartlett were murdered in what later became known as the ‘Easey Street murders’.
Ron Iddles, who later became a homicide detective but had only been on the force for three years in 1977, apprehended Kouroumblis near the scene of the murder.
Mr Iddles, now retired, found a knife in the boot of the car, which he later gave to detectives, he told the Herald Sun.
He said that Kouroumblis did not cause him any problems during the stop and search.
Perry Kouroumblis (pictured) was arrested at Leonardo Da Vinci airport in the Italian capital Rome over the killings that shocked Australia
Suzanne Armstrong (pictured) was murdered in the Melbourne suburb of Collingwood in 1977
“He was okay because I knew him. I never forgot it,” Mr. Iddles said.
‘I would even go so far as to say it was a ’68 HK Holden.’
The then-teenaged Kouroumblis said he found the weapon on a nearby railway line, under a pedestrian bridge.
Decades later, Mr Iddles investigated the Easey St murders as a cold case and said Kouroumblis’ arrest was a “fantastic outcome for the murder investigation and Victoria Police”.
The suspect, who holds dual Australian and Greek citizenship, had been living in Greece for several years but could no longer be held there due to the statute of limitations for murder charges.
Police had to wait until Kouroumblis left Greece before he could be arrested, Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said.
‘As far as I know, there is a 20-year statute of limitations for filing a murder charge (in Greece).
‘Our arrest warrant was not issued within that 20-year period, so we had to wait until he left Greece.
‘I don’t know why the suspect was in Italy, or was passing through Rome.
“All I know is that the red alert worked, thanks to the orders that were there and thanks to the cooperation with Interpol.”
The Interpol red alert, which led to the suspect’s arrest in Italy, included two charges of murder and one charge of rape.
It is unclear why Kouroumblis flew to Rome, but he remains stuck there while Australia begins legal proceedings to bring him back.
Mr Patton described the killings as “an absolutely horrific, horrific, insane murder”.
He said technological advances, investigative techniques and discovery of explanations had contributed to the breakthrough.
“This is the most serious cold case in Victoria and the longest cold case we have ever solved, which is why it is such a significant achievement,” the Chief Constable said.
“There is simply no expiration date for such heinous crimes.”
Mrs. Armstrong and Mrs. Bartlett were last seen alive on January 10, 1977. Their bodies were found three days later.
Mrs Bartlett’s 16-month-old son, Gregory, was found unharmed in his crib.
Their deaths shocked the country, but so far no one has been arrested.
Susan Bartlett (left) and Suzanne Armstrong (right) were murdered in their Easey Street home in Collingwood in 1977
Victoria Police offered a $1 million reward in 2017 to catch those responsible.
The women’s families said they found it difficult to express their appreciation to the investigators who worked tirelessly for so long to find answers and justice.
“The perseverance and dedication required to achieve today’s result is truly impressive,” the statement said on Saturday.
“Because you always give us hope and never give up, we simply say: thank you.”
The women attended school together in Benalla, in the mountains of Victoria, and their families said their deaths had “irrevocably” changed the lives of many people.
“We will be eternally grateful for the support and understanding we have received from our friends and family over the past 47 years,” they said.
Mr Patton said while the arrest was an important breakthrough, it was “just the beginning of the investigation”.
He said the federal attorney general would begin the man’s extradition process and the Italian courts would determine the timeline. However, he did not expect Australian law enforcement officers to travel to Italy in the coming month.
“We need to provide evidence and detectives from Victoria will provide that evidence to justify extradition,” Patton said.
Victoria Police Chief Shane Patton (pictured) described the killings as ‘an absolutely horrific, horrific, insane murder’
Koroumblis’ brother Tony told the Herald Sun the arrest was a “big mistake”.
“I don’t believe he did anything, I can’t believe it,” he said.
“I don’t think he was capable of doing something like that. I think it’s a big mistake. We’ll see what happens.”
No charges could be laid against the suspect until he lands back in Australia.