A nighttime stalker is still being sought who allegedly attempted to break into a coastal area after lurking on someone’s porch late at night.
Victorian Police have released new footage taken on March 20 of an offender they believe is involved in a series of alleged home burglaries along the state’s surf coast.
The ‘Geelong stalker’ has been the subject of more than a dozen sightings in Geelong, Surf Coast, Werribee, Torquay and other coastal suburbs between January 29 and March 7.
His ability to evade capture has sparked fear among residents across the vast area, with the alleged thief wearing identical clothing in a number of sightings.
Detectives from the Divisional Response Unit released CCTV footage of the man on March 20, pleading for help in trying to identify him, with photos showing him for the first time without the surgical mask he traditionally wears.
The ‘Geelong stalker’ has been the subject of more than a dozen sightings between January 29 and March 7 in Geelong, Surf Coast, Werribee, Torquay and other coastal suburbs
Previously, the stalker had been wearing a black KN95 respirator mask, a wide-brimmed sun hat and an Adidas jersey.
Some of the suburbs in the southwest region of Melbourne include Bell Post Hill, Highton, Rippleside, Torquay and Werribee.
Resident theories have been circulating online and in local newspapers to find out where the stalker lives.
American criminal profiler Mike King speculated to the Geelong advertiser that the stalker could live in Geelong or Melbourne.
Geographical locations of the alleged crimes, the target areas have remained close to Melbourne-Geelong Rd on the M1, which even connects to Torquay.
“The things that make sense to me, again with the limited amount of information we have, is that he’s either a resident of the Geelong area or he’s working his way down from Melbourne,” said King.
While no damage or stolen items have yet been reported, the stalker has been seen on CCTV loitering and repeatedly attempting to enter property.
Scott Holbrook, who lives in Rippleside with his wife and two young children and owns a home security company, uploaded CCTV footage of the man walking to his front door and trying to look inside.
While no damage or stolen items have yet been reported, the stalker has been seen on CCTV loitering and repeatedly attempting to enter property.
Some of the suburbs attacked in the South West Melbourne region include Bell Post Hill, Highton, Rippleside, Torquay and Werribee
Mr Holbrook told Daily Mail Australia he was aware of neighbors who had seen the mystery man on their cameras.
“I’m in this business because we got robbed when we first moved in — many of my neighbors had footage of him. It was only a matter of time before he came into our driveway,” he said.
Several home security companies in the region have reported a “marked spike” in inquiries about camera installations since February.
So said David Woodhouse, owner of Geelong Digital Security the courier post that demand for his services had exploded since the man’s series of snooping went public.
“Anytime there’s a story like this and an ongoing chain of events, people tend to stop and think about improving the security of their homes,” he said.
The Geelong stalker is described as white in appearance, about 6 feet 8 inches (180 cm) tall, of average build, and between 30 and 40 years old.
His behavior is described by the detectives as ‘unusual’.
Police are urging anyone who can identify the man or has CCTV footage, dashcam or other information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or file a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Scott Holbrook, who lives in Rippleside with his wife and two young children and owns a home security company, uploaded CCTV footage of the man walking to his front door
A mysterious man has been caught snooping and trying to access several homes in Geelong and surrounding areas