- Published:
- Thursday 30 April 2026 at 3:13 pm
Detectives from the Sexual Crimes Squad have this afternoon arrested a man as part of their investigation into the abduction and rape of a young mother in Belgrave Heights in 1985.
A 65-year-old Bendigo man was taken into custody shortly before 2pm today.
He will now be interviewed by detectives.
His arrest follows an incident which occurred over 40 years ago on Monday, 24 June 1985.
A woman in her 30s was returning from a university lecture when she stopped at a milk bar on Colby Drive around 7.30pm.
She went inside, bought her items and returned to the car, which had been left unlocked.
When she got in, a male appeared from the backseat. Armed with a knife, he threatened her and directed her to drive.
She drove for around one to two kilometres, before the man ordered her to pull into a secluded bush area in Courtney’s Road, Belgrave South.
He forced her out of the car and raped her.
During the assault he obscured the victim’s vision, placing items over her head and face in an attempt to conceal his identity.
The man then fled the scene in the woman’s vehicle, leaving her tied up and partially clothed in the rain.
The woman ran several hundred metres to the nearest house where she sought refuge and emergency services were called.
The man drove her vehicle back to the milk bar, abandoning it on Vale Road in Belgrave Heights, approximately 100 hundred metres from where she had been abducted.
At the time, the man was described as in his 20s, approximately 183cms tall, with short hair, a deep voice and wearing a dark military type, overcoat.
The investigation was reviewed by detectives from the Sexual Crimes Squad in 2023.
Police believe there a number of people from the initial scene at the milk bar on Colby Road that they have never identified, including people inside the store at the time.
Detectives are today releasing a photo of what that milk bar looked like at the time and are urging anyone who was there on the day to come forward and speak to police.
There was also an appeal for information by police at the time of the incident which referred to a similar sexual assault in the area in the weeks prior. The incident had not yet been reported to police.
Investigators from the Sexual Crimes Squad have never been able to locate an incident which matches the description and would urge anyone who has any further information to come forward.
Detectives also acknowledge that it is possible there are people who were assaulted in similar circumstances and have not yet reported it to police.
They are keen to speak to those people and encourage them to come forward.
Anyone with further information or anything that could assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Quotes attributable to Detective Acting Inspector Glyn Woolley, Sexual Crimes Squad:
“This arrest highlights our commitment to the safety of our community and to holding those responsible for this type of offending to account.
“If you were the victim of a similar incident in the area and around that time period, please – come forward and speak to police. It is never too late.
“Now over forty years on, today’s result is testament to the persistence and dedication of Sexual Crime Squad detectives, both past and present.
“No matter the length of time, we will continue to investigate these significant offences and try to find answers for victims of sexual assault.”
Media Unit
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