Daylight rape on front lawn

By Shaun Inguanzo
POLICE are on the prowl for a mystery man who raped a Cranbourne woman on her front lawn in broad daylight while she went to check her mailbox.
The 29-year-old was walking to the mailbox of her home at 5pm on Sunday 15 July when she was grabbed from behind then thrown down on to the ground outside her house.
Detective Sergeant Larry Grimshaw said the man was in dark clothes with a black balaclava and did not say a word during the two-minute rape.
He used a pair of scissors to cut the clothes off the woman before raping her, Det Sgt Grimshaw said.
The man then ran away.
He is described as about 6ft 2in, of medium build and could be aged in his mid-30s.
Police are baffled by the man’s reason for throwing a blanket on the ground before raping the woman.
Detective Senior Constable Ray Ross, who is investigating the rape, said the incident was bizarre.
He said police so far had been unsuccessful in finding leads.
Det Sen Const Ross said he was unsure if the man had used the scissors or a weapon to suppress the woman while he raped her in broad daylight.
He said police did not believe the man would continue raping, and was unsure if the man was known to the woman.
“It seems to be a one off, and I wouldn’t really hold concerns (of him doing it again).
“There is nothing to indicate this was the start of something.”
Det Sen Const Ross said the woman had been directed to a rape crisis centre where counsellors and medical staff would assist her in her recovery.
He urged anyone with information to come forward, regardless of how subtle it may be.
“We’re interested if anyone noticed strange behaviour from people coming home around that time, obviously males,” he said.
“He might have seemed a bit apprehensive, or out of breath, or annoyed.”
Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.