Detectives have charged a man following a series of alleged robberies targeting women in Melbourne’s south.
Police will allege the man followed a woman for approximately five minutes before assaulting her and stealing her shoes.
This occurred near Batman St in Melbourne West about 3.55am on Monday, December l20 ast year.
He then took off in a vehicle.
The 23-year-old woman sustained grazing and bruising during the incident and reported the matter to police.
Detectives later executed a search warrant at an address in Melbourne on Sunday, January 26 and arrested a 31-year-old man.
Police located and seized a number of items including allegedly stolen designer female sneakers and a conducted-energy device.
The man was interviewed and charged with a number of offences including robbery, intentionally cause injury and assault with intent to commit sexual assault.
After further investigation, detectives charged the man over four further robberies where women were allegedly followed, assaulted and had their high-end shoes stolen.
Those incidents are alleged to have occurred at:
• Merton St, Springvale about 10pm on July 19
• Springvale Rd, Springvale about 9.42pm on October 6
• Alley off Djerring Trail on Centre Rd, near Clayton Railway Station, about 10.30pm on 14 November 2021
• Corner of Thompson St and Flora Rd, near Clayton Railway Station, about 12.10am on January 10
The Melbourne man has since been remanded in custody to re-appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on April 21.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.